RP athletes out to match or surpass medal haul in Vietnam AIG

HANOI – Asian Indoor Games (AIG) Chief of Missiion Julian Camacho is confident that the lean 23-member Philippine delegation is capable of duplicating if not surpassing the one gold medal won by the country in the first two editions. "We're on target and we can do it," said Camacho in an interview at the Daewoo Hotel when asked of the country’s chances in the 3rd AIG hosted by Vietnam. Camacho believes the Philippines, competing in six of the 21 sports disciplines being played in this edition, the country stands on solid ground as far as winning medals – particularly the gold – as most of the 23 athletes are veterans who won medals in past international tournaments. World Women's Boxing Championships silver medalist Annie Albania gave the Philippines a head start in women's boxing with a 15-5 win over Na Zhai of Kazakhstan in the bantamweight division Friday. Teammate Alice Kate Aparri suffered an 8-2 loss against China's Jin Mei Lin in her flyweight bout while 17-year-old Nesthy Petecio is still fighting Thailand's Tassamalee Thong Jan in the featherweight division with a victory assuring her of a bronze medal. Pinweight Josie Gabuco begins her campaign Sunday against Weng Chan Chao of Macau while Mitchel Martinez, who already assured the country of a bronze in the light welterweight division, sees action on Nov. 2 in a semifinals showdown with the host’s bet Vui Nguyen Thi. The chess team – composed of Grandmasters Rogelio Antonio and Mark Paraqua, and women's woodpushers Catherine Perena and Shercila Cua – and national bowlers Chester King, Biboy Rivera, Jonas Baltazar and Raoul Miranda (men) and Liza Del Rosario, Krizziah Lyn Tabora, Kimberly Lao and Lourdes Arles (women) arrived on Saturday and are all prepared to go up against their tough rivals. Chess will be played at the Quang Ninh Gym in Hanoi while bowling competitions will be held at the Superbowl Center in Ho Chi Minh. Women's sanshou artist Jennifer Lagilag and Rhea Mae Rifani arrives on Sunday in time for Monday’s managers meeting and draw while 2007 SEA Games best male athlete Miguel Molina of swimming shows up in Vietnam on Nov. 2 before competition starts on Nov. 4. Competition in wushu and swimming will be held in Hanoi. The Muay team – composed of Zaide Laruan, Harold Gregorio and Maricel Subang – were supposed to arrive Saturday in Ho Chi Minh but have yet to check in. “They were supposed to arrive today (Saturday) but Red Dumuk informed us that the flight to Vietnam was cancelled because of typhoon Santi. We're still awaiting word from them if they can arrive on time for their competition which begins on Nov. 4," said Camacho. Muay stood at the forefront in the country's campaign in the first two Asian Indoor Games held in Bangkok (2005) and Macau, China (2007) as the delegation accounted for all but two bronze medal in the Philippines two-gold, two-silver and five-bronze medals won overall. Billy Alumno who now coaches the muay team, won a gold and bronze while teammate Ruben Sumido bagged a bronze in 2005. Sumido returned in 2007 and won the gold while Ronald Claro and Brent Velasco took home silvers while Zaide Laruan earned a bronze. The hoop takraw and chess player Perena, in the individual women's rapid chess event, accounted for two more bronze medals won in 2007. "’I hope our muay athletes will be able to compete but if they can't make it, I still feel we can easily match our one gold medal output the past two games. We're strong in all events at sa tingin ko ay talagang maganda ang ipakikita ng mga bata," added Camacho. The Philippine Sports Commission helped fund the trip of the countries’ bowling, muay, boxing and chess squads. – GMANews.TV