By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The stage is set for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games that Cambodia is hosting for the first time in history.
The biennial multi-sport event, which will run from May 5 to 17 in the capital city of Phnom Penh, gathers athletes from 11 member countries – each delegation determined to win one of 608 events in 37 sports.
The Philippines is sending 905 athletes and 257 officials with the bulk slated to leave for Manila on Tuesday, May 2, and Wednesday, May 3, in time for the opening ceremonies on May 5 at the Morodok Techo Stadium.
Expected to shine for Team PH are gymnast Carlos Yulo, boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, kareteka Junna Tsukii, weightlifters Vanessa Sarno and Elreen Ando and pole vault ace EJ Obiena.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Bambol Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann refused to make medal predictions for the PH team, but expressed confidence the Filipino athletes will deliver in hopes of bettering the country’s previous overall performance of 52 gold, 70 silver and 104 bronze medals last year in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Despite the absence of marquee athletes such as Tokyo Olympics medalists Hidilyn Diaz and Eumir Marcial, as well as notable dribblers like Junemar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar, to name a few, teams and officials are anchoring on a number of standouts that would deliver the mints for Team Philippines.
