Better medal chances for RP bets in 3rd Asian Indoor Games

The addition of women’s boxing and wushu in the 3rd Asian Indoor Games (AIG) strengthened the Philippines’ chances of surpassing its 19th place finish in Macau two years ago. The third staging of the biennial sporting event will be held in Vietnam from October 30 to November 8 where games will be held at the cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Min. The Philippines will also be competing in dancesports, billiards, athletics, swimming, shuttlecock, sepak takraw, futsal, bowling, petanque, aerobic gymnastics, chess, kickboxing, jujitsu, 3-on-3 basketball, pencak silat and muay. Among the 19 sports disciplines, the 162-strong Philippine delegation is hoping muay would become a gold mine for the country in the 10-day Games. “We’re very optimistic this time we are going to win more medals. We won a gold each in the first two (editions) but this time I’m confident we can win five to six gold medals at the most," said AIG Chief of Mission Julian Camacho. In Macau two years ago, the country sent 60 athletes competing in eight sports bringing home one gold, two silver and three bronze medals. The Philippines finished 19th among 29 competing countries. Thailand hosted the inaugural games in Bangkok where the Philippines won three medals – gold and two bronze. So far, muay won the two gold medals for the country accounting for seven out of the nine total medals the Philippines has collected in the Games. Billy Alumno and Ruben Sumido were the gold medalists for the country. “We are preparing hard for the Asian Indoor Games and we hope to continue to make the country proud just like what we did the past two stagings," said muay officer in charge Red Dumuk who joined Camacho and boxing head coach Roel Velasco in Friday’s SCOOP sa Kamayan in Padre Faura, Manila. But aside from muay, the country can also hope for a medal of any color in women’s boxing and wushu which are first time events in the indoor games. “Only five weight divisions will be held and we are fielding a tough team composed of Josie Gabuco, Alice Kate Aparri, Annie Albania, Nesty Peticio and Mitchell Martinez. Outside of Peticio, who is only 17 years old, the rest are veteran campaigners with Martinez a former Asian champion and Albania a Thailand SEA Games gold medalist. We are confident we can win five medals of any color," said Velasco. Women’s sanshou is also the lone wushu event and will offer gold medals in five weight divisions. The Philippines will be competing in four. – GMANews.TV