Philippines launches all-out assault

Kickboxers, gymnasts lead drive

HANOI – Six kickboxers will shoot for gold medals as Team Philippines launches an all-out assault in 19 sports disciplines in the 31st Southeast Asian Games that goes full blast on a Friday the 13th here.

The regional sports spectacle was officially declared open last night at the My Dinh National Stadium with songs and dances, some rain, the traditional parade and 11 outstanding Vietnamese athletes lighting the cauldron.

Filipino athletes and officials, dozens of them, took part in the affair that came on the eve of their busiest day so far in the Games, where duplicating their overall triumph of 2019 is now easier said than done.

Action in at least eight sports were already in full swing even before the formal opening. The host country, relying heavily on its chosen sports, stood on top of the early medal count (10-7-10).

The Vietnamese are hoping to stay there until the end.

Malaysia is running a very close second at 9-3-6, followed by Indonesia at 3-4-0 and the Philippines, which hosted the last edition, at 1-5-7. Singapore is not far behind at 1-4-3 and Thailand at 1-2-8.

So far, Team Philippines has a lone gold to show courtesy of Mary Francine Padios of pencak silat; five silvers in rowing, beach handball and kurash (three); and seven bronze medals in rowing, pencak silat, kurash (three) and kickboxing (two).

If the Philippines wants to put up a fight for the overall crown, actually the only thing its sports officials could guarantee, then things must get going today in scattered venues here.

Or sooner than later.

The kickboxing team, which trained for months in isolation in the province of Benguet, could or should provide the spark.

The Filipinos, with roughly 650 athletes vying in this country so close from home, will also see action in 3x3 basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, golf, badminton, billiards, bodybuilding, chess, esports, fencing, football, futsal, pencak silat, petanque, sepak takraw, table tennis, tennis and wushu.

Led by the kickboxers, Team Philippines will be in contention for medals in 19 events.

Former world wushu champion Jean Claude Saclag will vie against Thailand’s Santidongsakun Chaleamlap in men’s -63.5kg while Gina Araos, the reigning champion, competes in the women’s 60kg against another Thai, Jaiteang Waraporn.

The others wishing to win the gold and the juicy cash incentives that go with it are Renalyn Dacquel against hometown bet Thi Hang Nga Nguyen in women’s -48kg; Gretel de Paz against Indonesian Pieter Ariesta in women’s -56kg; Zeph Ngaya against Vietnamese Huynh Thi Kim Vang in women’s -65kg; and Claudine Veloso against Amanda Loupatty of Indonesia in women’s -52kg low kick division.

Two-time world gymnastics champion Caloy Yulo will see action in the team events offering two golds, and hopes to qualify to the finals of seven individual events scheduled to begin Sunday.

The 3x3 men’s and women’s teams will get the ball rolling in Team Philippines’ bid to keep the four golds at stake, including in 5x5 basketball where the Gilas men’s squad will not accept anything less than the gold.

Limitless App, king of PBA 3x3, plunges into action at 11 a.m. against Cambodia, followed by games against Thailand at 2 p.m. and Indonesia at 4:20 p.m. Making up the men’s squad are Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Marvin Hayes, Jorey Napoles and Raymar Caduyac.

The women’s golf team of 2018 Asian Games gold medalist Lois Kaye Go and ICTSI young guns Mafy Singson and Rianne Malixi will try to defend the individual and team golds against the best of Thailand. The men’s team is made up of Jet Hernandez, Jed Dy, Kristoffer Arevalo and Gab Manotoc.

The beautiful women’s volleyball team also launches its drive against Malaysia at 11 a.m. (12 p.m. in Manila) while the men’s team, silver medalist in 2019, battles Cambodia tomorrow, the same day Alyssa Valdez and company takes on mighty Thailand.

“It’s their time to shine now,” said Team Philippines chef-de-mission Ramon Fernandez.

“I’m pretty much optimistic that our standing will improve as the Games come along. Everyday challenges come but they (athletes) know how to solve these challenges,” said the former basketball superstar.