SEA Games: Saludar named Philippine flag-bearer

MANILA—Asian Games gold-winning boxer Rey Saludar has been picked to carry the Philippine flag in the coming Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia on Nov. 11-25, according to secretariat officials Friday.

The 23-year-old Saludar from Polomolok, South Cotabato, and brother of fellow national boxer Victorio, who won bronze in the same Asiad, was being floated as among the favorites to carry the flag during the opening ceremonies.

The Philippine Olympic Committee, however, has yet to formally make an announcement regarding the matter.

Saludar bagged the gold in the 52kg category after beating hometown bet Chang Yong during the Guangzhou Asian Games in China last year.

Co-deputy chief of mission Romeo Magat told sportswriters during the Scoop Sa Kamayan that they will recommend 450 athletes and 200 officials for the biennial Games. The POC is set to approve the composition of the contingent in its meeting next Wednesday.

Cut from the delegation was the baseball team because of the pending leadership issues within the Philippine Amateur Baseball Association. The Paba is set to hold elections on Sept. 14 as recommended by the 11-man ad hoc committee composed of baseball stakeholders.

But the elections are still expected to cause fireworks as the ad hoc committee is not forming a unified ticket for the new Paba administration and instead will pit the team of Hector Navasero against that of the stakeholders.

The Philippines is ranked second only to Thailand in baseball in Southeast Asia, and fifth in the continent.