160 skaters to compete in SM ISI Manila tourney

More than 160 skaters are expected to strut their stuff on ice when the country’s coolest skating event this Yuletide – the SM ISI-Asia Skate Manila 2002 championships – unfurls on Dec. 18 and 19 at the Megamall and Southmall ice skating rinks.

Aside from defending champion Southmall and multi-titled Megamall, also joining in the two-day competition sanctioned by the Ice Skating Institute-Asia and organized by the Ice Skating Union of the Philippines is a delegation from the Mines Ice Rink team from Malaysia.

Veterans Shekinah Ciudad, Fran Laureano and Jiovanil Amaquin will lead the Las Piñas-based skaters charge to bounce back after losing the overall championship to Megamall in the SM ISI-Asia Summerskaters 2002 tilt last May.

On the other hand, the Megamall skaters will bank on battle-tested campaigners Bien Berqonia. Cara Damian and Inna Samantha Lim as they attempt for their second straight title.

The Malaysians will be bannered by promising skaters Kong Zi Hao and Kong Zi Nya as they will pit against the Filipinos. Some are veterans of the ISI World Recreational Team Championships and Skate Asia tournaments.

At stake are the Highest Pointer Awards for the male and female division in the Freestyle and Basic levels. Most Artistic and Most Promising Skater plums.