Fil-Am trackster to don RP colors

The Philippine track and field squad is now looking forward to a haul of 14 gold medals in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games the country is hosting Nov. 27-Dec. 5 with the inclusion of a Los Angeles-based Fil-Am trackster.

The national team earlier raised its projection by two gold medals from its original target of 12 golds following reports that Fil-Am Kashus Perona has been cleared to compete for the Philippines in the coming games.

"Philippine athletics has got another good news. Kashus Perona has been issued a Philippine passport and is now allowed to play for the country," said RP coach Jojo Posadas in Pilipino.

"We’re now awaiting words from (Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association president) Mr. Go Teng Kok when Perona would come and join us in training," Posadas added.

Posadas said Perona, a 6-foot-1 trackster based in Los Angeles, is capable of winning gold medals in the 400m and as a member of 4x400m relay team.

Perona first showed his stuff locally in the 2004 Philippine National Open where he beat No. 1 RP bet Ernie Candelario in the 400m run.

Top gold medals prospects in the pool are Maristella Torres and Lerma Bulauitan in women’s long jump, Henry Dagnil and Jobert Delicano in men’s long jump, Rene Herrera in 3,000m steeplechase, Arnel Ferrera in hammer throw and Eduardo Buenavista in 5,000m and 10,000m.

"As long as they don’t get injured or sick, they are shoo-in for the gold" said Posadas.

Other potential gold-medal sources are the men’s and women’s marathon bets and Pinoy aspirants in the men’s 8,000m and 1,500m events.