Filipino squash bets Robert Garcia and David William Pelino. –Aysah Reyes Dalida/Philippine Squash Academy Facebook
MANILA, Philippines–Denied a chance to showcase their skills for two Southeast Asian Games in a row, Filipino squash players have switched their attention to a much bigger stage—the Asian Games.
And they’re doing a good job getting themselves ready.
Robert Garcia, the nation’s top bet in the sport, teamed up with David William Pelino in ruling the 23rd International Jumbo Doubles for the President’s Cup title at The Tanglin Club in Singapore.
That gold medal in the finale of the men’s open category at the expense of Singapore’s Marcus Phua and Tan Zhi Rhu, 15-8, 15-8, has made the Kayod Pilipinas Squash Team even more resolved to come up with a strong showing in the Asiad in China this September.
“There are at least nine countries that we should watch out for to reach the podium,’’ said Philippine Squash Academy president Robert Bachmann. “Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Korea, Japan, Qatar, Kuwait and Iran. These are the other countries that will be vying for those medals in the Asian Games.’’
Reymark Perez Begornia and Mel John Arebado also brought home the gold after emerging as the men’s open special plate champions.
The last time the squash team competed in the SEA Games was in 2019 here in the country, with the mixed squad starring Garcia, Pelino, Reymark Begornia and Jemyca Aribado ruling the event, the first time that the national squash team won a gold.
Garcia also bagged the men’s singles silver while joining hands with Pelino, Begornia and Christopher Buraga for another silver in the men’s team event.
Squash wasn’t included in the Vietnam SEA Games program last year and was likewise scrubbed from the Cambodia calendar in this year’s staging.