Judokas in same boat as Gilas

PHNOM PENH – Gilas Pilipinas is not alone in dealing with Cambodia’s foreign reinforcements.

Like their brothers in basketball, Filipino judokas brace for a new threat in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games here with the hosts fielding six imports for the judo competition that starts today.

The Cambodians, who captured one bronze in the previous SEAG in Vietnam, will unleash Ukrainians Guchkov Volodymyr and Krasovki Veadyslav, Japanese Uno Shintaro, Yanagiha Saki and Yasumatsu Haruka and Chinese Cheng Dalin in a bid to topple the traditional regional powers.

The Philippines collected two golds, four silvers and four bronzes and finished second behind Vietnam’s 9-2-4 in the Hanoi edition. The objective is to at least match the golden quarry.

Fil-Japanese Shugen Nakano and Rema Furukuwa, the gold medalists from last year, are back to lead the charge alongside silver medalists Daryl Mercado and Kesei Nakano, Ryuoko Salinas and sisters Jeanalane and Leah Jhane Lopez.

Pinoy bets in two other martial arts – wushu and taekwondo – also face Chinese-born rivals, who are representing the home team.

“Laban kami,” said one Filipino coach.