RP archers, water polo bets open SEAG bid

HANOI – The Philippines officially opens its campaign in the 22nd Southeast Asian Games here today in two events – archery and water polo.

Archery team manager Ligaya Manalang is confident as the archers, led by Sydney Olympian Jennifer Chan, begin their medal quest at the National Sports Training Center No. 1 at 10 a.m. (11 a.m. in Manila).

"Malaki ang pag-asa," said Manalang as she watched her wards go through the event’s official practice yesterday. "Contrary to reports we received in Manila, the weather is just right – not too cold but not hot. If we’re lucky, we can win two golds."

It’s very cold in the morning, according to Manalang, "but it becomes warmer at around 10 o’clock. The wind blows slightly. So hindi masyadong ma-aapektuhan ang mga bata."

The Philippines bagged a gold in the 2001 SEAG in Malaysia, courtesy of Purita Joy Marino. But Marino has quit after injuring her shoulder in practice.

Helping Chan pursue the RP bid are former SEAG gold medallist Joann Chan-Tabanag, Rachelle Cabral, Jasmin Figueroa, Marvin Cordero, Christian Cubilla, Florante Matan and Arnold Rojas.

The women shoot from 70 and 60 meters and the men from 90 and 70 meters in the first of two qualifying days to determine the top 32 who will make it to the Olympic Round. The OR is the knockout phase, where the top qualifier faces No. 32, No. 2 meets No. 31, and so on.

Four goals will be up for grabs – two in individual and two in team, both for men and women – in the competition which will have its awards ceremony on Dec. 6, a day after the formal opening of the 22nd SEAG here.

The RP water polo bets face reigning SEAG champion Singapore at 10:30 a.m. at the Ng Dinh Stadium.

Coach Leo Galang, who is also chair of the RP Water Polo Committee, is likewise confident that the Filipinos will improve their fifth-place finish two years ago in Kuala Lulpur.

"We’re rated among the top two here. Of course, we’re elated," said Galang on the eve of the match. "But we will definitely give our best."

The Filipinos are also slated to face Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

"We’re definitely in top shape," said Galang. "We lost two games to Asian Games fourth-placer Iran, but tied them in one when the Iranians visited us recently. We also topped the Asia-Pacific and Indonesian Open championships this year."

"We have no problem with the weather, because the event is held indoor," added Galang.

The rowers, according to technical director Nestor Ilagan, also have no problem with local conditions. "They’re doing well in practice since their arrival last Thursday. They’re out to win golds this time."

Rowing took only three silvers and two bronzes in 2001, but the pair of Alvin Amposta and Nestor Cordova boosted the rowers’ hopes by bagging a bronze in the light men’s double sculls event in the Busan Asian Games.

The Filipinos are vying in 28 of 32 events. These are swimming, water polo, diving, archery, athletics, canoe/kayak, cycling, fencing, women’s football, gymnastics, karatedo, pencak silat, rowing, sepak takraw, shooting, traditional boat racing, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, wushu (all in here), table tennis (Haishung), badminton, basketball, billiards/snooker, bodybuilding, boxing, chess, judo, taekwondo and tennis (all in Ho Chi Minh).

"Everything still seems out of sync here," noted administrative officer Red Dumuk. "But, hopefully, everything will be in place by Dec. 3."