Rugby 7, women’s softball join Gilas in first Asiad cut

MANILA, Philippines — With only three national teams making the initial cut, Philippine chef de mission Richie Garcia said other sports should prove themselves worthy of competing in the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

According to Garcia, only a top-four finish in an Asian-level tournament would be considered by the Philippine Asian Games task force, which set the criteria.

Gilas Pilipinas (men’s basketball), the men’s rugby seven and women’s softball have already secured slots in the delegation to the Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 Asiad, the continent’s biggest sports gathering with 45 countries participating.

Philippine Olympic Committee chair Tom Carrasco, who heads the POC side in the task force, said football is also making a bid, as well as baseball, but their participation are still up in the air.

“Football officials said they would go through a qualifying competition,” said Carrasco, who also heads the Triathlon Association of the Philippines.

“Baseball said they would want to participate, but I don’t know if they can comply with the criteria.”

These teams should come up with an acceptable performance in an Asian-caliber tournament before the submission of entry by number in July.