RP Asiad team down to 190; fate of 8 others hangs

The Philippine delegation to next month’s Asian Games is down to 190 following the withdrawal of the women’s chess team and the suspension of marathon bet Jho-An Banayag yesterday.
In a gesture rarely seen from a national sports association, the National Chess Federation of the Philippines pulled out its five-member women’s squad with officials acknowledging the long odds facing the team in Guangzhou, China.
NCFP executive director Willie Abalos said federation president Prospero Pichay withdrew the team made up of Women Fide Masters Cheradee Camacho, Sherily Cua and Catherine Perena, national champion Rulp Ylem Jose and alternate Jedara Docena due to lack of preparation.
The lady chessers placed 44th overall in the recent Chess Olympiad in Russia.
In the case of Banayag, RP chef de mission Joey Romasanta said the Philippine Olympic Committee screening panel acted on the decision of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association to sack Banayag for six months for breaking a policy that bars her from vying in any competition three months before the Asiad.
“They (Patafa officials) cited disciplinary action as the reason for removing Banayag,” said Romasanta.
Banayag, saying her family needed the money, emerged as the top Filipino after finishing sixth in the Camsur International Marathon on Sept. 24. She clocked 2:58:35 and earned P125,000.
The POC earlier removed the women’s basketball team, the 44-strong men’s and women’s dragon boat squads, and three equestrian riders for various reasons.
However, the POC is still waiting the Asiad organizing committee’s approval of the belated inclusion of seven shooters and the reinstatement of grandmaster Joey Antonio in the men’s chess team.
The country was represented by 233 athletes in the 2006 Doha Asiad in Qatar. They returned with four gold, six silver and nine bronze medals.
Athletics is down to seven campaigners led by long jump specialists Marestella Torres and Henry Dagmil. The other Asiad bets are Danilo Fresnido and Rosie Villarito (javelin throw), Arnel Ferreira (hammer throw), Rene Herrera (steeplechase) and Eduardo Buenavista (marathon).