By Lily O. Ramos
MANILA, (PNA) — For performing creditably in the 28th King’s Cup Sepak Takraw World Championship from Sept. 16-23 in Udon Thani, Thailand where they won a gold, two silver and three bronze medals, the Philippine Amateur Takraw Association, Inc. is asking the Philippine Olympic Committee-Philippine Sports Commission Task Force team for the 2013 Myanmar Southeast Asian Games for additional events and three more athletes in the biennial regional games
Deputy Secretary general of PASTA and team manager Karen Tanchanco-Caballero told sports media at the SCOOP Friday session at Kamayan, Padre Faura that owing to their most recent accomplishment in Thailand, the team should be strong contenders in hoop, regu and doubles events.
”We were given approval for only three male sepak athletes, namely, Jason Huerte, Rheyjey Ortueste and Emmanuel Escote but should there be injuries and unforeseen circumstances, we certainly need replacements.
”We have gone over the total performance of the team and it is necessary that three more male contestants be added to our lineup I plead for the inclusion of Ronsited Gabayeron, Rudolph Alvarez and Metedio Suico, Jr. to our contingent on Dec. 11-22,” said Caballero.
Caballero reported that the Philippine men’s team captured the gold in the team event while the regu and bronze teams, respectively came home with silver and bronze medals.
The women’s squad wrapped silver in the regu, bronze in the team and hoop events in Thailand.
The Philippines competed with 28 participating countries and over 600 athletes and officials.
Caballero also added: ”We would be a member of the world’s elite in the hoop event in 2014 despite the fact that we have limited resources when it comes to training, venue and financial/logistic support because we are naturally talented and adaptable to sepak takraw.”