By REY C. LACHICA
As a former topnotch shooter himself, sportsman and former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson can see the potential of a great athlete when he sees one.
And that’s the reason why the former Ilocos Sur governor is batting for the inclusion of air pistol shooter Carlo Valdez to the Philippine team for the coming 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Only 22, Valdez, according to Singson, has the makings of what Paeng Nepomuceno is to bowling.
But sad to say, he was not one of the PH shooters to the Asian Games.
And that’s the reason why Singson and other decorated shooters like Tac Padilla and Eric Ang were surprised.
“Bihira ang husay na taglay niya. Buo ang puso at isipan,” said Singson when asked about the future of the youthful shooter.
“Si Carlo ang dapat inaalagaan kasi future Olympian yan,” added Singson, who expressed utter disappointment with the process of selecting members of the national team to the quadrennial set to start Sept. 23.
But for Valdez, Singson said: “May pruweba ang bata. Pang world standard ang mga scores niya.”
Though Valdez is a shy-type of a shooter, his action speaks louder than words – ever louder than the bullets
Just recently, Valdez equalled the 27-year-old national record in the men’s 10-meter air pistol event of the Philippine National Shooting Association monthly eliminations at the Philippine Marine Corps shooting range in Taguig City.
His feat had wowed not only Singson, but also Ang and the legendary Padilla.
“Magaling ang batang ito, future ng PH shooting, dapat maalagaan ito,” said Ang. “World level ang tinitira nito”
Padilla, son of two-time Olympian Tom Ong, readily agreed.
“He’s young and yet his scores were impressive, Asian level ang standard,” said Padilla, who manages the family-owned Spring Cooking Oil. “Dapat suportahan ang batang ito.”
Showing the heart and nerves of a grizzled veteran, Valdez tallied 584 to duplicate the 10-meter air pistol mark registered by Filipino-American Jomike Gonzales.
Archer-turned-shooter Raul Arambulo said Valdez had consistently topped the PNSA men’s air pistol qualifiers, posting scores of 576 in the 10 m and 558 for the free pistol 50 m, respectively.
