Sepak takraw targeting 2 golds

FILE — Rheyjey Ortouste, Mark Gonzales and Jason Huerte celebrate their first international gold with Karen Tanchanco-Caballero (front row, left), president of the Philippine Amateur Sepak Takraw Association and vice president of the Asian Sepak Takraw Federation. —NONGLUCK MATVANGSAENG TITI TUK

KUALA LUMPUR—The Philippines’ sepak takraw men’s team is shooting for two golds when competition starts Wednesday at Titiwangs A-indoor stadium here.

The coaching staff, including Romulo Rueda, said the 17-member men’s and women’s teams are in high spirits after undergoing a two-month training camp in Iloilo City.

“It had a great effect on the morale of the team that’s why we wanted to move them out of Metro Manila for a change,” said Rueda in Filipino.

The Philippines could only win a silver and a bronze two years ago in Singapore.

But this time the men’s team is shooting for two golds with the bulk of expectations on the shoulders of Emmanuel Escote, Rheyjey Ortouste, and Jason Huerte who won silver in team event in 2015.

Also in the field are last SEA Games’ bronze winners like John Jeffrey Morcillos, Regie Reznan Pabriga, Rhemwil Catana, John-John Bobier, Ronsited Gabayeron, Alvin Pangan, Joeart Jumawan, John Carlo Lee and Mark Joseph Gonzales.

The women’s team, which is hoping for at least a bronze finish, is composed of Kristel Carloman, Lhaina Lhiell Mangubat, Mary Ann Lopez, Rizzalyn Amolacion and Jean Marie Sucalit.