With crowd behind them, Sepak bets also get going

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—Jason Huerte ended the 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur with a shiny silver along with his teammates in the sepak takraw men’s regu event.

This year, Huerte has several chances to turn that second-place finish into gold after the country’s leading sepak takraw player got tapped in four events in the 30th edition.

Besides renewing his silver-medal partnership with Rheyjey Ortouste and Ronsited Gabayeron, Huerte will likewise hunt for victory in the hoop takraw, team regu and team doubles.

“I just want to make the most out of it, especially with the home crowd expected to cheer—for us,’’ said Huerte.

Finest venue

The event gets off the ground Sunday at Subic Gymnasium, a venue praised by Sepak Takraw Federation Inc. director general Abdul Kader as the finest playground for the sport in SEAG history.

Also vying to transform their Kuala Lumpur silver finish into gold, the women’s trio of Mary Ann Lopez, Jean Marie Sucalit and Lheill Lhaina Mangubat hope to change their fortunes this time.

While the Philippines ended up with two silver medals, Thailand and Myanmar asserted their mastery of the field by compiling a gold-silver-bronze tally of 6-1-0 and 4-2-1, respectively.

Emmanuel Escote, John Jeffrey Morcillos, John John Bobier, Metodio Suico Jr., Mark Joseph Gonzales, Joshu Gleen Bullo, Elly Jan Nituda, Christian George Encabo, Joeart Jumawan, Amiel Bardaje, Jonard Eringe and Vince Torno complete the men’s cast.

Deseree Autor, Josefina Maat, Sarah Jean Kalalo, Allysa Bandoy, Mary Melody Taming and Abegail Sinogbuhan will comprise the women’s team.

A group of coaches headed by Rodolfo Eco will call the shots along with assistant coaches Gene Mark Saavedra, Esperidon Rodriguez, Romulo Ruedas Jr. and Juan Sioson Alonzo.