PBBM to boost morale of SEAG-bound PH athletes

By Randy Caluag

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will personally meet and boost the morale of the Cambodia-bound Filipino athletes during the send-off ceremony on Monday (April 25) at the Philippine International Convention Center.

The staff of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee have been busy working on the health protocols until the weekend for the more than 1,000 strong delegates that will carry the pride of the county in the 32nd edition of the Southeast Asian Games.

Participants from different National Sports Associations and those who are joining the sendoff, including the covering media, were asked to undergo antigen tests and submit health declaration forms before entering the venue for the 3 p.m. affair.

Team Philippines is aiming to improve on its fourth-place finish in last year’s edition of the biennial meet hosted by Vietnam. For this SEAG edition in Cambodia, organizers lined up 608 events in 38 sports, but they put a cap on the number of events other countries can participate, especially, in combat sports. Only host Cambodia is allowed to field athletes in all the events and weight categories.

In Vietnam, the Philippines sent 656 athletes and brought home 226 medals composed of 52 gold, 70 silver, and 104 bronze medals for fourth place overall.

The presence of no less than the highest official of the land is a big morale boost for the 908 Filipino athletes. who will carry the country’s tri-colors from May 5 to 17, although competitions in some sports take place days earlier beginning April 29.

President Marcos, in his earlier instructions to the PSC, committed to providing the athletes with better nutrition and support for training.

The PSC under chairman Richard Bachmann is doing just that, although there is more room for improvement since he has only taken office barely four months.

Marcos, a couple of days ago, received several Filipino athletes in a courtesy call in Malacanang, including boxers Melvin Jerusalem, Charly Suarez, and Marlon Tapales; the Makati Football Club; and the Philippine Men’s National Ice Hockey Team.

“The Philippines and its people will remember us once more as this grand culture with such great capacity, with such great potential that you are now showing to the rest of the world. Thank you once again for all that you have done,” Marcos told his visitors.

TO open this column, I would like to give my sincere thanks to the Manila Standard for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this prestigious newspaper. Years back, while I was studying and gearing to become a physician, my usual extra-curricular involvements includes writing for the school/ organization paper (from high school to college), and in a way this serves as the continuation of one of my passions, writing, as a professional. This will also be one of my platforms for my advocacy, promoting a greater awareness and appreciation for Philippine basketball history and culture through collecting memorabilia and feating Rachel Velez, 6-1, 7-6; Allyssa Bornia and Alliah Ragunton beating Sydney Enriquez and Jesha Cervantes, 7-5, 6-3; and Abad besting Esteban, 6-3, 6-2. Joshea Malazarte got one for UP after JM Carcueva retired in the third set.

This time around, seniors Bornia and Ragunton won the first doubles match convincingly, upending Enriquez and Cervantes, 6-1, 6-2, to put the Lady Bulldogs in front.

Velez then turned back JM Carcueva in three sets to level the tie after an arduous first singles match that reached 2-6, 6-1, 6-3.

The tie turned dramatic when Rovie Baulete and Angela Cabaral won the second doubles match with a 6-4, 6-2 take of Anica Cari and JM Prado, but the lead did not last long.

Malazarte put the contest in balance again after a huge three-hour three-set marathon past Abarquez, 5-7, 6-4, 7-6. University of Santo Tomas completed the podium after a 4-4 finish in the elimination rounds.

The coronation of season Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year will take place at the conclusion of the men’s finals.