by Nick Giongco
The Philippines’ chance of achieving its target gold medal haul of 14 in the 30th Southeast Asian Games got a big boost after Patafa chief Philip Ella Juico bared the acquisition of a Fil-Am shot putter Willie Morrison.
The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder from Indiana University has agreed to suit up for the Philippines in the Nov. 30-Dec. 11 biennial spectacle.
“He was the one who reached out to us,” said Juico, who was assured that Morrison, 22, has a Philippine passport and is willing to take part in the Patafa’s regular relays beginning next month.
The SEAG mark in the event remains at 17.64 meters and it was posted by Chatchawal Polyiam of Thailand in the 2011 edition.
Morrison, who has a Filipino mother, has a personal best of 20 meters plus, making him a sure gold medal winner, according to Juico.
With Morrison coming to town, Juico swears winning 14 is no longer a remote possibility given the country’s strength in the sprints.
The best output of the Philippines in SEAG athletics happened in 1983 when it bagged 13, a feat that has never been equaled the last 36 years.
