RP athletes vie on 10 fronts

BUSAN – This is going to be a busy day for Team Philippines.

Barely 15 hours after fireworks illuminated the dark gray skies of Busan, a busload more of Filipino athletes buckle down to work Monday – the first full day of action in the 14th Asian Games here.

The RP men’s cage team, a runaway winner over the United Arab Emirates last Saturday, takes on North Korea, going all out for a second win as it tries to gain more momentum heading into the tougher days.

"That first victory in basketball is a good sign," said Philippine Sports Commission chairman Eric Buhain, at the helm of the country’s bid to improve on the one-gold, five-silver and 12-bronze medal haul in the Bangkok Asiad four years ago.

But the former swimming sensation, who assumed the PSC chairmanship only this year, must first try to get his mind off basketball since a big group of Filipino athletes are set to make their debut in eight other sports disciplines.

"This is the start of action and we’re ready. I’m having some sleepless nights. I’m so excited, but not worried. In fact, I’m confident of surpassing that 1998 haul," said Buhain.

Athletes making their debut for the Philippines are those from swimming, cycling, judo, rowing, sepak takraw, women’s softball, squash and weightlifting.

The only Filipinos who saw action Sunday were the fencers with Emmerson Segui, Rolando Canlas Jr. Avelino Victorino and Richard Gomez bowing out one after the other in the men’s foil and epee individual competition.

Among those competing Monday, only cyclist Victor Espiritu and weightlifter Diwa Alegada have a chance of breaking the ice for the Philippines.

Alegada is considered a dark horse in the women’s 48 kg division.

The 26-year-old Espiritu, a gold medallist in the 1997 Jakarta SEA Games and a bronze medallist in the Bangkok Asiad, will see action in the 50 km individual time trial and try to pedal his way to the winners’ podium.

"Okay lang naman po ang kundisyon ko," said the soft-spoken Feati University student who was seen trying out the road condition Sunday afternoon.

Maribet Bibit will see action in the women’s 24 km ITT.

During Sunday’s opening ceremony, the Busan Asiad Main Stadium was packed to the rafters with over 60,000 spectators cheering on the athletes from a record 44 nations, including North Korea.

South Korean President Kim Dae-jung declared the Games open as he graced the affair with the First Lady. Security was extra tight in and around, with mobile police and foot patrols deployed in almost every corner and each of the 72 exit points of the venue.

Athletes from the two Koreas marched under a unified flag, providing the drama and a great atmosphere of peace – through sports.

A fireworks display probably never seen before capped the opening ceremony.

The Filipinos, in their classic Rajo Laurel dark suits, were all smiles as they made their way past the stands, opening and twirling colorful umbrellas.

Django Bustamante, the billiards expert, carried the flag in a once-in-a-life-time experience.

"Masayang-masaya ako," he said hours before the ceremony started.