BY NICK GIONGCO
Amid a bevy of hosting glitches, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) announced Monday that Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Ninoy Aquino Stadium (NAS) and Philsports Arena are now ready for competition.
Executive Director Guillermo Iroy emphasized that three major venues that will host marquee sports during the Nov. 30-Dec. 11 sportsfest are itching to be tested.
The Coliseum, built in 1934, will be the home of gymnastics while the NAS, put up in the late 1980s, is staging weightlifting and taekwondo. The Philsports Arena will hold volleyball matches.
Work in the said venues kicked off six months ago and the PSC, which financed the repairs and rehabilitation with assistance from Pagcor, is confident that the public will marvel at the three venues’ massive makeover.
Even the football field, whose condition was put in question 24 hours before the opening matches, has been spruced up and made ready to conform with the strict standards.
Even the Asean Basketball League is incredibly excited about the prospects of making one of these venues as its home, bared Iroy.
“We were on target,” said PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez. “We gave the people an assurance that we will finish the competition areas on top and our various teams in the PSC did their jobs well. They delivered.”
Ramirez also clarified that the squash competition is traditionally held at the Manila Polo Club.
These facilities, Ramirez said, were not originally intended for use of the SEA Games hosting.
BOXING TEAM
Meantime, the Philippine boxing team will be led by lightweight Charly Suarez, middle Eumir Marcial and light-heavy John Marvin as the early qualifiers.
Marcial is the pack leader of the men’s squad since following his runnerup finish in the world championships.
Completing the cast are Carlo Paalam at light-fly, Rogen Ladon at fly, Ian Clark Bautista at bantam, James Palicte at light-welter and Marjon Pianar at welter.
The women’s side is led by world champion Nesthy Petecio at feather, who will be joined by light-fly Josie Gabuco, fly Irish Magno, bantam Aira Villegas and lightweight Riza Pasuit.
Thailand will be the biggest thorn for the host punchers as the two regional powerhouses renew their storied rivalry.
In the 2017 SEAG in Kuala Lumpur, Thailand racked up a gold-silver-bronze tally of 2-3-1 while the Philippines placed second overall with a 2-1-2. Indonesia and Malaysia won one gold each.
