London Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga, wrestler Jason Balabal, cyclist Alfie Catalan and the men’s and women’s poomsae teams will head the Philippine delegation of no more than 266 athletes in the 27th Southeast Asian Games in Burma (Myanmar).
Philippine Olympic Committee chair Tom Carrasco yesterday said they would submit tomorrow the names of these 266 athletes from 28 sports to the organizing committee.
But Carrasco explained the lineup is not yet final with only 152 athletes—all of them priority athletes—guaranteed of slots in the Dec. 11 to 22 meet.
He refused to name the athletes but a reliable source told the Inquirer that Barriga, Balabal, Catalan, Asian Games gold medalist Rey Saludar (boxing), Samuel Thomas Morrison (taekwondo), Joey Barba (cycling) and the world-class poomsae teams are among those assured of spots.
Carrasco said gold-medal prospects from athletics and golf as well as the men’s basketball team, a perennial SEA Games winner, were included.
Chef de mission Jeff Tamayo said the remaining 114 athletes would still be evaluated before the final cut-off on Nov. 15.