PSC shelves ‘priority’ plan

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Sports Commission has decided to shelve its program to prioritize just 148 athletes and do away with some 600 more at least until March 31.

PSC chair Richie Garcia yesterday said they wanted to give the 148 athletes, gold winners in the last Southeast Asian Games, enough time to undergo physical fitness examination.

“We want to make sure that they are fit because if we are giving them P40,000 salary a month, we must be assured that they are in top shape and not having injury or sickness,” said Garcia.

There were reports, however, that the PSC was trying to appease the disgruntled athletes who are reportedly planning to stage a rally against the “priority athletes” program.

For the meantime, the 148 athletes will get the usual salary they are getting, while the others cut by the program will still be in the payroll for at least one more month.

Garcia added that within a month’s time, they will try to figure out what to do with athletes in team sports like basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball and dragonboat.

The two-week event is sponsored by Philippine Tennis Academy, Mariposa Foundation, Dunlop Fort balls, Magnolia Purewater and Century Park Sheraton.

Tadeo and Cu arranged a duel with the La Salle-Dasmariñas pair of Jennifer Manzano and Giselle Bembo.