INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines - Athletics, swimming, shooting and bowling are tipped to give the Philippines podium finishes in the first Asian Youth Games from June 29 to July 7 in Singapore.

Chef de mission and table tennis president Cesar Binag said that, except for the possible medalists, he cannot make any more predictions on the RP team’s campaign.

“It’s hard to predict because this is the first Asian Youth Games, and except for swimming, there really is no standard to base any prediction,” Binag said in Friday's Scoop session at Kamayan Restaurant on Padre Faura, Manila.

The possible medalists, according to Binag, are tracksters Robert Nasis and Stephanie Cimatu, tanker Jessie Lacuna, shooters Shanin Gonzales, Jayson Valdez and Diane Eufemio and bowlers Diane Coronacion and Jose Collins.

Cornonacion and Collins brought home a bronze and silver, respectively, from a recent Hong Kong tournament.

“The athletes I mentioned are those who excelled in local competitions and tryouts held by their respective NSAs,” said Binag.

The bulk of the 61-athlete RP contingent will leave on June 29. The football squad left last Tuesday as their event already started Friday the shooters depart on June 30.

The POC will also host a sendoff party for the athletes Sunday during the Olympic Day run at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.