Pinoy speed stackers compete in Asian Open

MANILA, Philippines - A crack Philippine team left yesterday to compete in the WSSA 2013 Asian Open Sport Stacking Championships beginning tomorrow at Kenanga Wholesale City Complex in Kuala Lumpur.

The Filipinos, ranging from ages 10-16, have been divided into two teams for the event also featuring the top speed stackers from South Korea, Australia, China, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Macau, Singapore, Thailand and Chinese Taipei. 

Team A (14 and under) is composed of Kenneth Cadacio, 14, Laguna Bel Air School; Alonzo Miguel Ramos, 11, Sacred Heart Academy of Pasig; Juan Miguel Ramos, 10, Sacred Heart Academy of Pasig; Cesar Quiambao, 13, Xavier School; and Jan Dominique Nedano, 12, Colegio de San Agustin-Biñan.

Comprising Team B (16-under) are Rafael Blas Aguilay, 16, Las Piñas National High School; Donovon Jose Panganiban, 16, Don Bosco Technical College-Mandaluyong; Jericho Nieves, 16, Don Bosco, Technical College-Mandaluyong; Kiarra Luarca, 15, St. Paul College of Makati; and Gillian Capili, 15, La Concordia College.

Cadacio, the Ramos brothers, Nedamo, Panganiban, Aguilay and Luarca are returning from last year’s Asian Open in Singapore, where they won 40 medals and trophies and ruled the International Challenge. Panganiban, Nieves, Quiambao and the Ramoses also took part in the 2012 World Sport Stacking Championships held in Butzbach, Germany last April. 

Accompanying the players, backed by San Miguel Corp. and Accel Philippines, through its president Willie Ortiz, are coach Albert Coronel, director of World Sport Stacking Association-Philippines and brand manager speed stacks Bankee Trading Inc., coach Renato Ramos and team consultant Gloria Panganiban.

The annual event serves as a prelude to the 2013 World Sport Stacking Championships scheduled April 6-7, 2013 at Lake Buenavista South Hotel and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, USA.