Marcos doubles incentives for SEAG Para Games winners

THE strength of the Filipino spirit came came out when Filipino athletes competed and won medals during the 32nd Southeast Asian Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said this on Wednesday when he presented cash incentives, which he doubled, to the medalists of the SEA Games and and Para Games in a ceremony held at the Malacañang Palace.

“The most important thing that we demonstrated, the you demonstrated as you competed in the Games, was to show the strength of the Filipino spirit, the grace of the Filipino character, and the passion of the Filipino heart,” said Marcos.

The government cash incentives, which were supposed to amount to P74 million, was doubled by Marcos through the Office of the President.

A total of amount of P60 million was originally prepared for the winning athletes, aside from the P14 million for Para Games medalists and in accordance with Republic Act 10699, or the Expanded National Athletes give our best, we have no chance,” said Reyes in a statement.

“So, let’s give ourselves a chance. Let’s go out there and play our best because if we’re not at our best, we won’t stand a chance against these opponents,” added Reyes.

The Philippine team came home Tuesday, hours after Gilas pulled off a and Coaches Incentives and Benefits Act.

“Over the past few months, we have celebrated the Philippines’ successful campaign in the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games. The pride that every Filipino felt in every game, and in every medal won, witnessing the flag raised in a every medal ceremony brought us all together as a country,” said Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachman.

Medalists in the SEAG got P300,000 for gold winner, P150,000 for silver and P60,000 for bronze, while for the ASEAN Para Games, the incentives are P150,000 (gold), P75,000 (silver) and P30,000 (bronze).

Philippine Olympic Committee resident Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino thanked President Marcos Jr. for reiterating his full support to Filipino athletes and Philippine sports in general.

“President Marcos Jr. welcoming the athletes in Malacanang and personally handing them their incentives is more than enough of a strong gesture of his strong belief and confidence in our athletes,” Tolentino said.

Top junior swimmers join SEA tilt

A 19-MEMBER Philippine Team comprised of swimmers (10 boys and 9 girls) from all over the country will be sent to Jakarta, Indonesia to participate in the 45th Southeast Asian Age-Group Aquatics Championship slated August 24 to 26.

All 18 homegrown swimmers, led by multiple national junior record holder in the 13-under class, Jamesray Michael Ajido from Quezon City, passed the qualifying standard criteria (5th place in last year’s edition) set by the Philippine Swimming Inc., headed by Miko Vargas and Secretary General Eric Buhain during an open tryout at the Teofilo Ildefonso swimming pool in Malate for the Manila leg, Vigan, Ilocos Sur for Luzon and Dumaguete City for Visayas and Mindanao.

US-based Filipino-foreigner Clark Kent Apuada and Ava Samantha Bautista made it after submitting a qualifying time duly signed and authenticated by the US league organizing head. The former qualified for the boys’ 15-16 100m free (53.72) and the latter for the girls’ 15-16 50m fly (28.44), 100m fly (1:03.20), and 200m fly (2:23.46).

“The best of the best as I see it. And since talagang nagpa-tryouts tayo all over the country, well represented ang mga regions sa composition ng team natin, which is a good sign that swimming is changing for the better. They not only represent the Philippine colors but also give pride and honor for their cities and provinces,” said Buhain, an Olympian and Congressman for the 1st District of Batangas.

“Marami tayong inspirasyon sa mga batang ito, our next generation of swimming champions,” said Buhain, adding that a 5-man diving squad coached by former Asian Games campaigner Nino Carog is joining the team as part of their training and exposure.

63-48 victory over Iran B to finish its campaign in the 2023 Heyuan WUS International Basketball Tournament on Sunday at Xiaoqing Sport Center with three wins and a loss.

Clarkson arrived in the country earlier in the day.

For now, Gilas is heading into the final stretch of its World Cup preparations by playing tune-up games against Mexico and Montenegro.

Another key player, NBA hopeful Kai Sotto, is also expected be present in training this week.

“It’s challenging because when things are going well and we let up a bit, we lose momentum, and it shifts to the other team. We can’t just switch on and off that seriousness,” said Reyes of their coming games.

“Of course, England are one of the favourites, that goes without saying -they are the European champions.

“But we also faced Germany, who were second favourites. We were wise enough and had the composure.”

Colombia’s intense, attacking mindset has served them well so far, with their teenage striker Linda Caicedo one of the stars of the tournament.

But Usme is the glue that keeps them together and she said they were in no mood to stop now.

“We want more,” she said, having scored the goal to take Colombia into the last eight.

“It’s not our ceiling, now we are thinking about England, which is going to be a dream match.

“We need to be calm, play an intelligent match, but with the certainty that we can achieve more in this World Cup.

“We are dreaming big -- we can do this,” she added.

Abadia has been in charge since 2017 and after failing to qualify for the last tournament in France, has nurtured the likes of Caicedo into the players they are today.

The 67-year-old has made no secret of their intention to at least reach the final and match the feat of Brazil in 2007, when they were runners-up to Germany.