SEA Games: PH guns for 8 golds in arnis opener

Some of the members of the Philippine Arnis team competing in the 2019 SEA Games.

NEW CLARK CITY — The Philippines is counting on arnis to churn out the gold medals on Sunday with eight championships to be disputed in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at Angeles University Foundation.

The country’s national sport returns in the biennial meet with 20 total golds on the line — to which most, if not all, of them the Philippines is laying claim.

“This to showcase our very own sport and martial arts, and at the same time bring honor to the country,” said Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, president of the Philippine Eskrima, Kali, Arnis Federation.

Zubiri said there is pressure on their part to deliver but he is confident of the 20-strong PH arnis delegation’s chances.

Four golds each in men’s and women’s live stick events will be held on the first of the three-day competitions.

The toughest opposition will come from Vietnam which has sent a crack team in Cebu City as early as October.

The international arnis federation is based in the Queen City of the South.

Back in 2005, the Philippines and Vietnam halved the six golds played in the sport.