By Dennis Principe
Philippine Rowing team coach Edgardo Maerina said they are determined to answer the call of Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) officials for them to deliver the goods in the 30th Southeast Asian Games to be held in the country later this year.
An Olympian, Maerina is convinced his rowers are fully motivated to go all-out although his team still needs overseas training for toughening up after getting a marching order to deliver at least three gold medals.
The team will be led by multi-SEAG gold winner Nestor Cordova, Cris Nievarez and top lady rower Melcah Jen Caballero who made quite a splash when she won a gold in a prestigious event in Hong Kong last November.
“Sa ngayon experience ang kulang namin pero may suporta naman ang POC lalo na sa plano namin na ilang mga training camps sa Europe at makakuha din ng European coach,” said Maerina.
While Maerina declined to reveal the names of potential foreign coaches, the veteran rowing mentor disclosed they are in talks with one coach from Germany and another from Croatia.
“Kung sino ang makuhang foreign coach, diskarte niya ang susundin namin kasi malamang naman sa bansa niya kami mag-training camp kaya dun na din naming iba-base yung needs na hihingin namin sa POC,” said Maerina.
The Philippines won the overall championship the last time the country hosted the biennial meet in 2005 where the rowers bagged three gold medals.
“Sa ngayon mahirap magsabi na kaya natin mag-overall champion kasi noong 2005, sampu ang events noon. Ngayon dito sa atin, anim na events lang,” said Maerina. “Kung anim lang ang events, yung mga malalakas na bansa makakatutok na sa mga events kaya mahirap talaga labanan ngayon.”
Still, Maerina is optimistic about their chances despite the retirement of dependables and SEAG veterans Alvin Amposta, Jose Rodriguez and Benjie Tolentino.
“Nakikita ko naman sa machine may potensyal mga rowers natin ngayon,” said Maerina.
