SINGAPORE – Don’t look now but triathlon could just provide the first gold medal for the country in the 28th Southeast Asian Games.
After near misses in fencing and table tennis, the Philippine delegation is now pinning its hopes in the women’s triathlon event which fires off Saturday morning at the East Coast Park here.
Kim Mangrobang and Ma. Claire Adorna are the country’s entry in the race, which Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) president Tom Carrasco is confident of winning.
His optimism is well-placed.
Mangrobang and Adorna were the best Southeast Asian finishers in the triathlon competitions of last year’s Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, where the duo finished seventh and ninth respectively, in the competition held in Incheon, Korea.
Not only that, Carrasco also sees the a greater chance for the Filipinos to win the gold in the men’s side.
Also in last year’s Asiad, Jonard Saim and Nikko Huelgas finished 10th and 11th respectively, although just behind them was an entry from Thailand.
“During the last 12 months, wala akong nakitang puwedeng lumaban,” Carrasco said during Team Philippines’ sendoff a few weeks ago.
Fencing and table tennis came up with the country’s first two three medals in this year’s edition of the biennial meet through Harlene Raguin and Justine Tinio and veteran netter Richard Gonzales.
Source: Reuben Terrado of Spin.ph
