Pinoy netters long shots for SEAG gold

Philippine Tennis Association president Salvador "Buddy" Andrada said there is little chance the country can snatch a gold medal in the 22nd Southeast Asian Games scheduled Dec. 5-13 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Andrada also said the most the country can win is a silver medal with the powerhouse Thailand team, led by world campaigner Paradorn Srichapan and Tamarine Tanasugarn, expected to dominate the event.

"We’re not downplaying our chances. We’re just being realistic here," said Andrada in the weekly PSA Forum sponsored by Agfa Films and Red Bull at the Holiday Inn.

"It will be nearly impossible to beat world class players like Paradorn and Tamarine. Considering that we will be more than happy to go home with a silver medal," added Adrada, whose remark was in deep contrast to forecasts made in karatedo and chess, both expecting to harvest four of five gold medals in Hanoi.

The Philta president said he might settle for the same team that lost to China in a Group II Asia-Oceana Davis Cup tie in Wuhan recently since the possibility of recruiting Filipino-American players in the caliber of Cecil Mamiit is far-fetched at the moment.

The team is composed of reigning PCA champion Joseph Victorino, Johnny Arcilla, Michael Mora III and Adelo Abadia. – Joey Villar