Philippine National archery fires off today

CEBU, Philippines - Close to 200 archers including members of the national team are set to showcase their wares today in the 2017 Philippine National Outdoor Open and Philippine Cup Finals at the Camp Lapu-Lapu grounds.

Categories to be contested include PVC, yeoman, bowman, barebow, cub and cadet, para, juniors, seniors and masters for both recurve and compound divisions.

Leading the contenders in the recurve action are Florante Matan, Gab Moreno, Sid  Fraginal and Allen Rakipo while the distaff side include Karylle Hunggitan, Mary Queen Ybanez, Nicole Tagle and Pia Bedaure.

The top bets in the compound include Earl Yap, Paul Marton Dela Cruz, Joseph Vecencio and Joseph Bague as Jennifer Chan, Joan Tabaniag, Rachelle Dela Cruz and Abby Tindugan are the players to beat in the women’s class.

The action also heats up tomorrow with the Philippine Cup finals. Cebuanos Vincent Villa and Rogelio Tremedal are two of the top junior archers to watch.

This event is part of the Youth Olympic Games 2018 qualifier and Olympic 2020 selection process.

The selection process is being handled by former national team member Clint Sayo who is now the head coach of the Philippine team. (FREEMAN)