Filipino swimmers will literally test the waters of the newly-built aquatics center at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, way ahead of the opening of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Philippine Swimming Inc. President Lani Velasco said on Friday that the Philippine National Open set Aug. 31-Sept. 3, will be the first event that will make use of the new swimming pool and SEAG-bound athletes and hopefuls are going to see action.
Veteran Jessie Lacuna leads the cast of participants, said Velasco, adding that the athletes are also getting the experience of being the first to stay at the Athletes Village.
Also confirming their attendance are Jimmy Deiparine, Rosalee Mira Santa Ana, Roxanne Ashley Yu and Chloe Isleta as well as the up-and-coming Luke Gebbie, Thomas Peregrina, Jerard Jacinto, Remedy Rule and Georgia Peregrina.
The PSI leadership knows that it has been a long time since the Philippines struck gold in the sport and Velasco is upbeat about this batch’s potential.
Apart from Deiparine, the other recruits from the US are Rule, Isleta, Santa Ana and the Peregrinas.
Miguel Molina, another Fil-Am, was the last to make waves for the country and he did it 10 years ago in Laos by winning two gold medals.
The SEAG will be held from Nov. 30 until Dec. 11. (NICK GIONGCO)
