The Philippine contingent will not have some its stars for the Opening Ceremony of the Asian Games on Saturday in Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
The star-studded Women’s National Volleyball team and the entire Wushu squad have decided to skip the event, as the two squads will focus on their Asiad-debuts on Sunday.
“That’s the consensus of the team,” said Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. president Peter Cayco.
“We need this training session because the game on Sunday (against Thailand) will be very tough. As much as possible, we want to make an impression that we also deserve to be here.”
“Pagod na ang mga athletes, tapos weigh-in at training pa sa Sabado so hindi na sila makakasali sa opening ceremonies,” added national sanda head coach Jessie Aligaga.
The Women’s Volleyball Team is composed of Alyssa Valdez, team captain Aby Marano, Majoy Baron, Cha Cruz, Kim Dy, Kim Fajardo, Dawn Macandili, Jaja Santiago, Ces Molina, Jia Morado, Mika Reyes, Dindin Santiago, Maika Ortiz, Denden Lazaro, and Mylene Paat.
The last time the Philippines saw action in the women’s volleyball competition of the Asian Games was in 1982.
On the other hand, Daniel Parantac seeks to capture the gold medal for the Philippines in the Asiad, competing in the men’s Taolu contest. He will be joined by Jones Inso, Thorton Sayan, and Agatha Wong.
Jean Claude Saclag will lead the Philippine’s Sanda national squad along with Francisco Solis, Clemente Tabugara, and Divine Wally.
The wushu artists are aiming to surpass their previous haul of two silvers and one bronze medal in the Incheon edition four years ago.
The Women’s Volleyball Team begin their campaign against 2014 bronze medalist Thailand on Sunday at 11:00am at the GBK Tennis Indoor in Jakarta
Saclag will figure in the -70 Men’s Sanda tournament on the same day at 8:30pm.
