Source: gmanews.tv
-- Proof that they are one in spirit, members of Team Philippines whose sports are already over in the 25th Southeast Asian Games are going around, cheering and supporting fellow athletes still in contention for the gold.
Teams from taekwondo, swimming and karatedo did the rounds of venue competitions for two straight days and plan to do so until the final day of action in the biennial meet Friday.
Taekwondo coach Rocky Samson said his 16-man team led by gold medal winners Toni Rivero and Tshomlee Go watched the preliminary round of the men’s tennis doubles at the National Sports Complex, while the karatedo team of coach Raymund Lee dropped by and cheered the Filipino judokas at the Chao Anu Vong Stadium.
"We just want to recuperate and relax after our events by supporting other Filipino athletes. It’s our own way of giving back the support they gave to us when we were the ones fighting," said Lee.
Action in karate ended last Saturday, with Marna Pabillore accounting for a gold in the women’s 55kg kumite.
"Iba-iba sila ng pinuntahan. Yung ibang grupo nanood ng tennis, meron din sa billiards and boxing (women’s), I think may nagpunta din ng diving and swimming. Kung ano ‘yung magustuhan nilang sports pumupunta sila," said Samson, whose jins wrapped up their campaign as early as Saturday after tallying four gold, four silver and four bronze medals.
"Everyday yan lumilibot sila sa mga venues," added the taekwondo coach.
Miguel Molina and the rest of the swimming team on the other hand, are planning to watch events in athletics.
"I believe they are planning to go to the track oval to cheer the Filipino tracksters," said Philippine Aquatics Association of the Philippines (PASA) president Mark Joseph.
The RP tankers capped their medal bid Monday night with a 4-5-1 tally, highlighted by Molina’s two gold medals (400m IM and 200m IM) and the record-breaking victories of Ryan Arabejo (1,500m freestyle) and Daniel Coakley (50m freestyle).
On Wednesday, the Philippine embassy in Laos led by Amb. Marilyn Alarilla is hosting a dinner party for the entire RP delegation.
"It’s just a little get together as a sign of appreciation for the hard work our athletes did," said Joseph.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
0 comments