MANILA – Four athletes from Negros Occidental were among the 272 Filipinos who will be sent to the 2018 Asian Games from Aug. 18 to Sept. 2 in Palembang, Indonesia.
Riflayca Basa of Hinoba-an town and Kaith Ezra Jalandoni of Talisay City were part of the women’s softball squad along with Angelie Ursabia, Mary Ann Antolihao, Francesca Altamonte, Hailey Cassandra Decker, and Chelsea Kaitlyn Suitos.
Also in the team were Mia Macapagal, Cristy Joy Roa, Shaira Damasing, Riezel Calumbres, Arianne Vallestero, Garnet Agnes Blando, Skylynne Kopia Ellazar, Danielle Lindsey Gilmore, Reese Miquelle Guevarra, and Sierra Arlyna Lange.
Amateur boxers Ian Clark Bautista of Himamaylan City and James Palicte of Bago City will also compete. Palicte recently won a silver medal in a tournament in Thailand.
Others in the Philippine boxing team were Carlo Paalam, Mario Fernandez, Joel Bacho, Eumir Felix Marcial, Aira Villegas, and Nesthy Petecio.
The Philippines will also compete in aquatics (swimming, three delegates), archery (five), athletics (eight), bowling (12), basketball (12), bridge (12), canoe kayak/traditional boat race (27), cycling (seven), equestrian (three), fencing (eight), golf (seven), gymnastics (eight), judo (six), jetski (two);
Karate (five), sailing/windsurfing (three), sepak takraw (10), shooting (four), sports climbing (one), skateboarding (three), squash (eight), table tennis (one), taekwondo (17), tennis (seven), soft tennis (10), triathlon (six), women’s volleyball (14), weightlifting (three), and wrestling (two).
In addition the country is sending 33 martial arts fighters – nine for jujitsu and eight each in pencak silat, wushu and kurash.
The Philippine Olympic Committee has approved 63 coaches and trainers.
In the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, the Philippines sent 159 athletes in 25 sports events and finished No. 22 with one gold medal, three silver and 11 bronze./PN
