Squashers in bold Asiad bid

MANILA, Philippines — It won’t be easy repeating the Philippine squash team’s success at the 2019 SEA Games but the contingent of four men and two women isn’t backing down from the challenge of facing tough odds at the Hangzhou Asian Games where five gold medals are at stake in the sport from Sept. 27 to Oct. 5.

At the 2019 SEA Games, the Philippines marked a record breakthrough with a gold, two silvers and two bronzes. Then, squash was struck out of the calendar in the next two SEA Games, leaving the players unable to sustain momentum. Competition in the Asian Games is at a much higher level but Kayod Pilipinas, the nickname of the Philippine squash team, is unfazed.

Leading the squad in Hangzhou is Robert Garcia, ranked world No. 172. Garcia, 36, will combine with Myca Aribado, 30, to form one of two Philippine entries in the mixed team doubles. The other entry is made up of David Pelino, 30 and Aysah Dalida, 31. Competing in men’s singles are MacMac Begornia, 31 and Jonathan Reyes, 17. The Philippines will also vie for honors in men’s team with Garcia, Pelino, Begornia and Reyes. Kayod coach Edgar Balleber said Garcia and Pelino aren’t eligible to play singles because they’re in mixed doubles.

There are 18 pairs in mixed doubles. Garcia and Aribado are in Pool B with Malaysia, China and Sri Lanka. Pelino and Dalida are in Pool D with India, Hong Kong, Pakistan and Thailand. The top two finishers in each of the four pools will advance to the quarterfinals. Aside from the Philippines, six other countries are represented by two pairs – Pakistan, Korea, Hong Kong, India, Thailand and Malaysia. In men’s team, 17 countries are split into two pools with the Philippines joining Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and Hong Kong in Pool B. The top two placers in Pools A and B advance to the semifinals. Of the 48 players in the men’s team event, 19 are ranked ahead of Garcia.