35 named to SEAG athletics squad

Athletics chief Go Teng Kok predicted yesterday a much better performance from his wards in the coming Southeast Asian Games after naming 35 athletes to the RP squad bound for the Vietnam games this December.

Go said he’s confident they can surpass their harvest of nine golds, 10 silvers and four bronzes in Kuala Lumpur two years ago as he foresees his team winning nine to 14 golds in the Vietnam joust set Dec. 5-13.

"I’m sure we will surpass our performance in Kuala Lumpur," said Go. "And if you’re looking for silver medals, huwag na nating pag-usapan. SEA Games lang ito kaya gold lang ang target natin."

He submitted 22 men and 13 women to the technical commission headed by bowling’s Steve Hontiveros.

The list includes Eduardo Buenavista, whom Go considered as top bet in three events – 3,000m steeplechase, 5,000m and 10,000m.

Other gold medal prospects are Lerma Bulauitan-Gabito (women’s long jump), Ernie Candelario (400-m), John Lozada (800-m), Rene Herrera (1,500), Dandy Gallenero (men’s javelin) and the 4x400 team of Candelario, Rodrigo Tanuan, Jimar Aing and Ronnie Marfil.

Go said Fidel Gallenero (decathlon), Roy Vence (marathon) and Joebert Delicano (men’s long jump) are facing tough oppositions but have good chances of topping their respective events.

Also included in the men’s list are Allan Ballester (marathon), Sean Guevarra (high jump), Jerro Perater (hammer throw), Roberto Fresnido (javelin), Danilo Fresnido (javelin) and Julius Sermona (5,000-m, 10,000-m).

Henry Dagmil, Ralph Waldy Soquilon, Alex Gabito and Arnold Villarube may be added in the list if they pass their performance tryout in the 4x100m run before Nov. 5.

Others in the women’s roster are Flordeliza Cachero (marathon), Lorelie Amahit (hammer throw), Narciza Atienza (high jump, heptathlon), Marestella Torres (long jump, 4x100-m), Mercedita Manipol (5,000-m, 10,000-m), Melinda Manahan (20K walk), Mary Grace Melgar (400-m hurdles, 400-m, 4x400-m, 4x100-m), Jonah Genilza (200-m), Julie Rose Forbes (400-m hurdles, 4x400-m, 4x100-m) and Rosie Villarito (javelin).

Go said the 35-strong team will be divided into two groups with the first to compete in the First Afro-Asian Games set Oct. 24 to Nov. 1 in Hyderabad, India.

The other group, spearheaded by Buenavista, goes to Hanoi for the Vietnam Open on Oct. 10-14.