SINGAPORE—Sinking to a record low last time out, the Philippines tries to find redemption in every way possible as the 28th Southeast Asian Games shifts into overdrive Saturday in scattered venues across this opulent tiny city-state.
The Filipinos will fuel the chase for gold medals in 19 sports today after launching their campaign with three silver medals and one bronze even before the regional sportsfest officially got off the ground.
Carrying the brunt of the strenuous mission are 18 Filipino athletes who, after carving out glorious moments in 2013, are back to regain Philippine pride.
Their objective: Climb out of a paltry seventh-place finish two years ago in Burma (Myanmar).
Former billiards world champions Dennis Orcollo, Rubilen Amit and track and field double-gold performer Archand Christian Bagsit spearhead the cavalcade of champions along with cycling’s Mark Galedo and boxers Josie Gabuco and Mario Fernandez.
“They’ve prepared long and hard for this,” said Philippine chief of mission Julian Camacho, who projected two to three gold medals for today. “And we’re counting on them to deliver.”
Judokas Gilbert Ramirez and Kiyomi Watanabe, poomsae artists Dustin and Raphael Mella and wushu’s Daniel Parantac have also returned as the Philippines aims to cut a slice from the pie of 402 golds to be contested in 36 sports until the closing ceremony on June 16.
Also set to defend their titles are hurdler Eric Cray, steeplechaser Christopher Ulboc, decathlete Jesson Ramil Cid, long jumper Henry Dagmil and the men’s basketball team headlined by naturalized center Marcus Douthit and Kiefer Ravena.
Joining them are the men’s archery compound team led by Earl Yap and the 4x400m men’s relay squad headed by Edgardo Alejan and Bagsit.
The Philippines is hoping to improve on its 29-gold output in Burma despite the absence of several champions—double-gold winner Princess Superal (golf), London Olympian boxer Mark Barriga, sanda fighters Jessie Aligaga and Denbert Arcita and jins Kristopher Uy, Kristie Elaine Alora and Jade Zafra.
Triathletes Kim Mangrobang and Claire Adorna will open the country’s golden bid in East Coast Park here while taolu specialists Agatha Chrystenzen Wong (women’s taijiquan), John Keithley Chan (men’s changquan), Kariza Chan and Natasha Enriquez (women’s duel weapon) are also vying for the podium along with the trio of Norlence Catolico, Chan and Parantac (men’s duel weapon).