Manila: The head of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) expressed confidence in the 141-strong national contingent's chances at the 3rd Asian Youth Games (AYG), which will be held in Manama, Bahrain, from October 22 to 31. "Yes, this team has a strong fighting chance," POC president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino stated during the national team's photo shoot at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Tolentino aims to match or surpass the gold medals previously won by taekwondo's Pauline Lopez and golfer Mia Legaspi, along with the three silver medals achieved in the 2013 edition held in Nanjing, China. Boxer Leo Mhar Lobrido and volleyball player Harlene Serneche have been selected as flagbearers for the opening ceremony of the second-largest multi-sport competition on the continent after the Asian Games.
"We'll train and do our best to get a medal," Lobrido remarked during the photo session. The 16-year-old athlete from Bago City, Negros Occidental, is seen as one of the medal contenders, having topped the Fourth Greater Area Bay Youth Boxing Challenge in Shenzhen, China, last year. "We have potential and hopefully, we'll be competitive there," added the 18-year-old Serneche, who is set to join National University as a freshman.
The photo shoot also included 30 athletes, featuring Pi Durden Wangkay and Lorainne Batalla (athletics), Jan Brix Ramiscal (Muay), siblings Charlie and Travis Ratcliff (MMA), and Rhose Almendralejo (volleyball). The volleyball team comprises National University's high school squad. "It's a big pressure for me because this is only the second time I'm competing outside the country. I hope to help the team and do well," said Almendralejo, a grade 11 student of Tay Tung High School in Bacolod City.
Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon "Tats" Suzara will serve as the chef de mission of Team Philippines. The Filipino athletes are set to participate in 18 out of the 26 sports listed in the AYG program, including volleyball, teqball, golf, triathlon, mixed martial arts, taekwondo, muay, athletics, boxing, cycling, weightlifting, table tennis, badminton, wrestling, aquatics, jiu-jitsu, kurash, and pencak silat.
Tolentino noted that Bahrain is prepared to host 4,250 athletes, 900 team and technical officials, and 700 coaches during the games.
