Philippine Asian News Today | Page 22

A22 PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY July 16 - 31, 2016 SPORTS Official Results Tournament #18 @ Westwood Plateau, July 23 - 07/24/2016 PGABC 2016 Officers President: Art Makalintal Vice-President: Fred E Santos Congratulations to the champions! Secretary: Ferdinand Y Lontok Tom Raguero Class A - Tom Raguero Class B - Jimmy Fabros Treasurer: Jess Cusi Membership Director: Renato Cusi IT/Handicap Director: Geevs Fragante Rules Director: Efren Doctor KP winners: #3 - Jay Isaac #6 - Vic Galvez #12 - Jessie Castillo #16 - Tom Raguero Tournament Director: Jessie Castillo Special Events Director: Manny Yatco Advisors: Toti Epondulan, Vic B Galvez Jimmy Fabros PH athletes unwind before action in Rio RIO DE JANEIRO—Reeling from jetlag, members of the Philippine delegation, including the six athletes who are already here for the 2016 Rio Olympics, were given the chance to loosen up Monday in this city that has all the trimmings of a major event coming up. Except for the Philippine flag bearer, Ian Lariba of table tennis, the rest of the athletes, from long jump specialist Marestella Torres-Sunang, swimmer Jessie Khing Lacuna, taekwondo jin Kirstie Elaine Alora and weightlifters Hidilyn Diaz and Nestor Colonia, took it easy the day after their arrival. Members of the delegation headed by Jose Romansata could still feel the effects of a back-breaking 25-hour flight from Manila to Rio via Dubai when they got up in the morning. Officials, including the coaches, thought it was better to give everybody some tim e to recover. Lariba just went through the motions under her South Korean coach Mi Sook Kwon, a silver medalist in the 1999 World Championships. But she said she didn’t want to overdo herself and just wanted to break sweat to shake off jetlag. “We did just enough,” said Lariba, 21, the first athlete from the Philippines to plunge into action in this Summer Games, being held despite serious concerns on the dreaded Zika virus, security threats and the impending ban on Russian athletes. Lariba competes the day after the opening ceremony, most likely in the morning, and ahead of Lacuna, and boxers Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez who will also make their Olympic debut later in the day in different venues. Track coach Joebert Delicano decided to give Sunang time to recover from jetlag as well, saying all he did was give the country’s long jump entry a rubdown to soothe her muscles. Besides, he said Sunang practiced hard and did a dozen jumps the day before they left Manila for Rio. “Her muscles were tight due to the long flight. She had to stay out of the track at least for today. With another good sleep, her body should feel better tomorrow,” said Delicano, a long jump champion during his prime. Weighlifting coach Alfonsito Aldanete said Colonia and Diaz will be at the training venue Tuesday. At the same time, the coach decided not to allow his two athletes to join the opening march because they are scheduled to compete on Aug. 7. “Even if it’s two days after the opening ceremony, they have to skip the parade. It’s difficult for weightlifters to be spending a long time standing, especially during the parade, so close to a competition,” said the coach from Zam- Team Philippines pose for a photo with the Christ the Redeemer statue. Photo by R. Olivares khaldi, arrived at the Athletes most athletes, their physical nboanga Village Monday morning with condition is of greater imporCity. The two boxers, Ladon her coach, Jennifer Buffin. tance. When the opening cerand Suarez, are all set to fly They flew in from Hawaii, and in from Las Vegas where they said it took them 31 hours to emony takes place at the 79,000-seat stadium, only a trained more than a month get here. “We flew from Hawaii to few athletes, perhaps half a for the Olympics. Team official Ed Picson said they’re Dallas then Miami then Rio. dozen, may end up joining the also contemplating on asking What was supposed to be an parade of the 206 competing the boxers to skip the Olym- eight-hour layover in Miami countries. They will be joined took even longer because of a by only a handful officials. pic parade. Philippine Olympic ComGolfer Miguel Tabuena further two-hour delay,” said mittee president Jose Cowill only arrive in Rio the day the swim coach. “It was a very long trip. juangco will arrive on the day after the opening, in time for the golf competition on Aug. But it was good,” said Alkhal- of the opening ceremony. He di, who stayed indoors the will travel from Manila alone, 11 to 14. and has decided to spend a Runner Eric Cray is arriv- rest of the day. Romasanta said it’s more night in San Francisco before ing from Houston while marathoner Mary Joy Tabal will be important to make sure the flying to Rio than take the 25flying in from Japan, in time athletes are well rested head- hour trip from Manila. ing to the competition. While “I’m not that young anyfor the opening. The other swimmer from joining the parade is a once- more,” he said. ( MS sports) the Philippines, Jasmine Al- in-a-lifetime opportunity for WWW.PHILIPPINEASIANNEWSTODAY.COM