Padilla, Valdez vie in PNSA nat'l open shootfest

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Shooting Association holds its 2011 National Open starting this Saturday with the likes of pistol king Tac Padilla and air rifle specialist Jason Valdez showing their stuff in their respective events.

Padilla and Valdez are among the country’s top gold medal prospects in the coming SEA Games in Indonesia following their silver-medal finishes in the recent ASEAN Shooting Championships in Laos.

“We are staging this event not only to test the readiness of our athletes for the coming SEA Games but also to discover young and promising shooters,” said PNSA president Mikee Romero, whose company – Harbour Centre – will be the event’s major sponsor.

“We want to make the sport more vibrant because we have the chance to win an Olympic gold medal here. Given more attention and support, we will try our best to produce more world-class shooters,” said tournament chair and PNSA treasurer Marcia Cleofas.

PNSA executive director Larry Paredes said Padilla is favored to repeat in air pistol, rapid fire, center fire and standard pistol while Valdez is the top pick in air rifle and 50M rifle 3-position.

Also out to retain their titles are Shanine Gonzales (air pistol and 25M pistol), Isabel Eufemio (air rifle women), Inna Therese Gutierez (50M rifle prone), Ed Yao (action shotgun pump), Ariel Santos (action shotgun semi-auto), Bert Espiritu (WA 1500 open men’s), Marly Llorito (women’s WA 1500), Noni Alvarez (revolver) and Jerwin Ching (men’s production).

Competitions are in different venues including the PNSA Shooting Range, Philippine Marine Range and Fort Bonifacio Range. Seeing action on Saturday are BR5m shooters followed by air rifle (10m) shooters the following day.

Events to be contested on Oct. 9 are 25m Rapid Fire and 50M Free Pistol while the sport pistol (ladies), Centerfire and 50m Rifle Prone are slated the following day.

Standard Pistol and Action Shotgun 50M are lined up on Oct. 15 while the 10m Air Pistol, 50m Rifle 3-Position, WA 1500 and 48rds Shotgun 50m are scheduled the following day.

The Centerfire Military, also known as Camp Perry, will be held on Oct. 22 while the exciting Metallic Silhoutte and BR25 will cap the month-long shooting festival.