Booters kick off SEAG drive

THE PHILIPPINES will begin its quest for gold medals in five sports several days before the opening rites of the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore on June 5.

The men’s football team will arrive at wealthy city-state on May 26 and play its first game on June 1 against the host country at Jalan Besar Stadium.

Chef de mission Julian Camacho said Filipino athletes from netball (12 players), table tennis (five), synchronized swimming (two) and fencing (19) are also leaving ahead of the main delegation.

The women’s netball team opens its bid against Thailand on May 31 at OCBC Arena while the table tennis bets get going the next day, followed by the synchronized swimmers on June 2 and the fencers on June 3.

Camacho said the main wave of Filipino athletes will check in on June 4, including flag-bearer Alyssa Valdez and the Philippine women’s volleyball team, which is making a comeback after a 10-year absence from the 11-nation Games.

The delegation has grown to 472 athletes and 136 officials from 35 sports.

The traditional sendoff is set on May 27 at Philsports Arena.