MANILA—A face-off.
That was the challenge hurled by the sacked members of the national karatedo team in their bid to reclaim their slots which they lost after refusing to compete in the POC-PSC National Games.
Led by two-time Southeast Asian Games champion and Asian Games silver medalist Marna Pabillore, the five members of the team, who were stripped of their monthly allowances and billeting privileges, said they are ready to take on their prospective replacements in the PH pool.
“If they want to we can have a face-off,” said Pabillore, 30, “Whoever wins will represent the country to the SEA Games.”
In a talk with sportswriters Friday, Pabillore’s group said there was no competition for them in the National Games except for the 27-year-old and under and open category, which is not among the events in the Indonesia SEAG.
But former Philippine Karatedo Federation president Joey Romasanta said the PKF selection committee can still decide who are worthy of SEAG slots even in the absence of weight classes.
Sacked aside from Pabillore (women’s kumite -55 kg), were Sharif Afif (men’s kumite -75 kg), Jan Paul Morales (training pool), Raymund Mejico and Renato Manalo (team kata).