Phl archers vow to keep fine form for SEAG

MANILA, Philippines - Fresh from their victorious stint in the Asian Archery Cup in Bangkok, members of the Philippine team yesterday vowed to stay in peak form in the months ahead.

Amaya Paz Cojuangco, stretching her good years out in the range, steered the Philippine team to the gold medal in the women’s compound team event.

Jennifer Chan, an Olympian, also dished out her best while Andrea Robles proved more than just a pretty face as the trio took the gold.

In the finals, the Philippines edged India, 224-223.

The Philippines won another gold in the mixed team event with Cojuangco perfectly teaming up with Jeff Adriano.

Cojuangco also took the silver in the individual compound of the prestigious event that came to a close just three days ago.

In the qualification rounds, the Philippines was also awarded five golds in the women’s individual through Cojuangco, the women’s compound team, mixed team compound and men’s team compound and men’s individual compound through Jeff Adriano.

The Philippine Archers National Network and Alliance, Inc. (PANNA) headed by Fred Moreno and Felizardo Sevilla threw a victory party for the archers yesterday.

“I guess we’re doing things right,” said Moreno, whose son, Luis Gabriel Moreno, won the gold in the team event of the Youth Olympic Games last August.

Then last September, Paul Marton dela Cruz brought home the bronze from the Incheon Asian Games.

Cojuangco said the immediate goal is the 28th SEA Games in Singapore in June.

“We have a good chance in the SEA Games and the world tournaments,” she said during the affair graced by Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco.

Moreno said after the SEA Games, the archers will train their sights on the Rio Olympics qualifiers – the World Championships in Denmark in July and one in Bangkok in November.

“We want to qualify our men’s and women’s teams to the Olympics. It’s never been done before and we hope to do it now,” he said.

“We have a very vibrant board at PANNA and our mandate is to win out first gold medal in the World Championships and then the Olympics,” Moreno added.