MANILA (PNA) -- ?Don?t expect any medal,? was all Philippine Olympic Committee chair Monico Puentevella could say as to the chances of the tiny national delegation in breaking the country?s16-year Olympic medal drought in the coming Games in London.
?Sixteen years is, Indeed, too long for us to win another Olympic medal, but like in our immediate past participation, I?m sorry to say that among the 11 athletes we are sending to London only a few who we
can say we have a slim chance for one,? the former Bacolod City Congressman said.
?But, miracles do happen, so let?s just hope and pray that one of the 11 athletes we are sending can be blessed to at least bring home a medal of any color,? Puentevella, who is also the president of the
Philippine Weightlifting Association said during Friday? s SCOOP Sa Kamayan weekly session at the Kamayan Restaurant-Padre Faura.
?All the athletes we are fielding earned their respective place in the team and have prepared enough, in the hope of bringing home honors for the country,? Puentevella told his audience in the forum, sponsored by Powerade, AKTV and FILA.
?Let me just say that this contingent, one of the smallest in our country?s Olympic participation, will be out there fighting, if not to win medal, but to win goodwill for the county,?: he vowed.
Puentevella cited Fil-Am mountain rider Daniel Caluag as to have the brightest hope of landing in the medal standing in view of his ranking in the world while representing the United States in several world championships he has so far participated in.
?Dadaan tayo sa karayom, but I?m sure our ?magnificent 11? will do everything they can to project to the whole world what kind of people the Filipinos are,? he added.
Puentevella also mention shooter Brian Rosario, archers Mark Javier and weightlifter Hedilyn Diaz as to have chances of figuring out in the fight for medals in their respective sports.
?As for Hedilyn, who is ranked 6th in the world, well we in the PWA are actually preparing her for the next Olympics in 2016,? he remarked. ?She was an Olympian four years ago at age 16, now she?s only 22, so maybe four years from now she will be ready to really compete with the best in the world.?
The POC chair noted that for boxer Mark Anthony Barriga and Fil-Japanese judoka Tomohiko Hoshina will need luck in the draw to advance into the next rounds and, perhaps, into the medal plays.
Long jumper Maristella Torres, distance runner Rene Herrera and swimmers Jasmin Alkhaldi and Jesse Khing Lacuna rounded out the PHI contingent.
Joining Puentevella as guests in the weekly session were Manila councilor and Manila Little League Charter president Che Borromeo, ILLAM Charter head Norman Macasaet and businessman-sportsman Ping Remollo of the Muntinlupa-Alabang Little League Charter.
Borromeo will head the Ana Santiago-coached Team Manila to the Big League World Series for girls softball in the 16-18 bracket scheduled Aug. 2-8 in Kalamazoo, Michigan , while Macasaet the ILLAM Major League (11-12) World Series for girls softball Aug. 9-15 in Portland, Oregon.
Macasaet is spearheading the MUntinlupa-Alabang Big League boys baseball campaign in the division World Series July 25 to Aug. 1 in Easley, South Carolina. Coach is Randy Dizer.
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