CAPAS, Tarlac – Filipino-American swimmer James Deiparine is on a mission to make waves in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
After settling for two silvers in the 50 and 100 backstroke in the 2017 edition in Kuala Lumpur, Deiparine said that this year’s hosting of the Philippines will be extra-special.
“This is going to be redemption,” said Deiparine, 25, stressing that he is gunning for no less than gold medals on home soil.
“I am competitive and especially with it (SEAG) being (held) at home, I am excited to win it at home, in front of the home crowd,” he said.
Depiarine is one of nine Fil-foreigners already assured of slots to the Nov. 30-Dec 11 sportsfest.
Also beaming are fellow Fil-foreign tankers Luke Gebbie, who is Australian descent and Remedy Rule, who just graduated with a Marine Biology degree from the University of Teas-Austin.
Gebbie, a Melbourne resident, admits his quest to rule the 100-m freestyle borders from slim to none.
“The 100-free is notoriously tough,” said Gebbie, who will have to contend with Olympic champion Joseph Schooling and a rising star from Malaysia.
Rule is likewise upbeat about her chances.
“Medaling is within the realm of possibility,” said Rule, who, like her fellow Fil-foreign recruits, are heading back to their respective homes for the final phase of the SEAG buildup.
Competitions in swimming will actually take place at the newly-built 2,000-capacity Aquatics Center located in this part of town being advertised as New Clark City.
Philippine Swimming Inc. head Lani Velasco refuses to issue a forecast but assures everyone that for the first time in along while, “Philippine swimming will have a much better chance.”
“We are coming more prepared and homecourt advantage,” she added.
Meanwhile, Bases Conversion and Development Authority president Vince Dizon made the assurance that it’s green and go for New Clark City’s holding of swimming and track and field.
“The access road will be made available to the public by October,” said Dizon, noting that travel time from the city center that normally takes 45 minutes will be cut to ten 15 minutes with the opening a six-lane road. (Nick Giongco)
