PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — The women athletes are off to roaring start in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.
On the eve of the opening ceremonies, Kaila Napolis of jiu jitsu and Angel Gwen Derla of Kun Bokator delivered with gold medals, sending the Philippine medal drive on overdrive.
The day after the festivities at the Morodok Techo National Stadium, Precious Cabuya handed the Philippines its third top finish by ruling in obstacle course.
With hostilities in the 11-nation sports spectacle in the early stages, the Philippines can look forward to more in the coming days.
Remember, we have yet to see the fancied Gilas Pilipinas women’s team in action.
Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Nesthy Petecio is also poised to strike alongside cue artists Chezka Centeno and Rubilen Amit as well as Kheith Rynne Cruz. Of table tennis.
Then there’s also triathlon with Kim Mangrobang leading the way anew and targeting a fourth SEA Games gold.
These are just a few top medal bets and there are still more out there who are determined to join the party.
But one group of athletes being given a lot of attention is the basketball squad gunning to win its third straight top finish in the 5×5 in the biennial meet.
With Jack Animam, who missed the Hanoi campaign owing to an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury, spiking the squad, chances are the Gilas female dribblers are returning home with the gold dangling around their necks.
Animam’s presence should also shore up Gilas’ 3×3 gold medal prospects as she joins hands with Afril Bernardino, Janine Pontejos and new inclusion Mikka Cacho, a prized catch from collegiate champion National University.
Petecio the puncher is likewise on a mission.
Last year in Vietnam, the 2019 world championships gold medalist, could only bring a bronze home after winning gold in Manila four years ago.
Although Amit and Centeno have been providing countless medals through the years, they won’t be able to do so here as organizers limited the number of events where they the duo could strike.
Instead, they will be forced to play the unfamiliar 1-cusihion and 3-cushion caroms in the absence of the traditional singles and doubles play.
As for Cruz, the Philippine table tennis’ teenage sensation, the future looks bright.
Table tennis secretary general Pong Ducanes feels that Cruz, just 16 years old, competing in her third SEA Games, would finally hit paydirt here.
Certainly, things are looking good for the women athletes but for the entire delegation as well.
