Bulk of Asiad delegation off to Guangzhou today

MANILA—The bulk of the 282-strong Philippine delegation set to compete in 29 sports will leave for the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China today.

A total 64 athletes from 12 disciplines will board two separate Southern China Airlines flights, one in the afternoon and one in the evening, along with 14 coaches and eight other team officials.

RP chef de mission Joey Romasanta and 10 medical staff will join the group in the two-hour, 15-minute travel.

Other groups will leave on Nov. 11, 13 and 15.

Twelve athletes from dancesport, 10 from soft tennis, eight shooters, seven wushu artists and six cyclists will comprise the group along with entries from chess (5), judo (5), tennis (4), rowing (3), canoe-kayak (2), artistic gymnastics (1) and weightlifting (1).

Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. and Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia will depart on Nov. 11 together with potential medalists from billiards and taekwondo.

“We’ve made all the necessary preparations to help our athletes win medals in the Asian Games,” said Romasanta, seeking to improve the country’s four-gold output in the 2006 Doha meet.
“Hopefully, the hard work pays off.”
Judoka John Baylon, a nine-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist,  and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz will represent the country in the torch relay today.  They will run a kilometer each in the relay where the 45 competing countries have sent two representatives.
 
Billiards delivered a gold four years ago through Antonio Gabica.  It will bring 14 players led by Efren “Bata” Reyes.  Doha silver finisher and two-time Olympian Tshomlee Go will banner the taekwondo-jins.
Triathlon (2) also left yesterday while sailing (3) was the first Philippine team to arrive in China on Nov. 4.

Meanwhile, Sol Mercado will play two tune-up games for the Smart Gilas cage team despite hurting his left ankle during a recent PBA game.

Team doctor Albert Rolle said x-ray results showed Mercado has a bone contusion on the rear part of his ankle.

The team would decide on Mercado’s fate after the twin matches.