By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Five Olympians, led by Games record holder EJ Obiena, headline the 61-strong Philippine athletics team which is determined to recapture its glory days in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand next week.
The 30-year-old Obiena is poised for another record-breaking performance in men’s pole vault after resetting the Games mark to 5.65 meters on his way to retaining the gold medal in the previous edition of the biennial meet in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
More than the record – SEA Games or Asiad – Obiena should deliver and inspitre other PH athletes.
The two-time Olympian also holds the Asian and national record of 6.00m and currently has a season-best performance of 5.80m.
Joining Obiena at the frontline is Asian champion and 2016 Rio Olympian Eric Cray, who is gunning for an unprecedented seventh straight SEAG gold medal in the men’s 400-meter hurdles.
Kristina Knott, who competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is also seeing action in the women’s 100m and 200m — the same two events where she holds the national marks — along with 2024 Paris Olympics hurdlers John Cabang Tolentino and Lauren Hoffman.
Also fancied to do well is Janry Ubas, who is set to defend his title in the men’s long jump.
The country seeks for a better performance after collecting four gold, 10 silver and eight bronze medals from 47 events in the previous edition that was dominated by Thailand, who reaped 16 gold medals, followed by Vietnam with 12.
Competing in the men’s track events are Clinton Bautista, Anfernee Lopena, Kent Francis Jardin, Neil Michael Catral, Pi Durden Wangkay, Pharis Lark Reil Pantonial, Frederick Ramirez, Alfred Talplacido, Alhryan Labita, Tochukwu Timothy Okolo, Hussein Loraña, David Paul Matibag, Dhem AJ Monton, Alfrence Braza, Junel Gobotia, Yacine Guermali, Sonny Wagdos, Carlos De Imus, Vincent Dela Cruz, Arland Arbois and Richard Salaño.
Joining Obiena in the men’s field events are Elijah Cole, Yacine Guermali, Leonard Grospe, Kent Celeste, Hokett Delos Santos, Clint Nino Neri, Ronne Malipay, Mark Harry Diones,William Morrison, Russle Je Ricaforte and Sidney Yap.
Completing the cast are Zion Rose Nelson, angel Watson, Jessica Laurance, Lianne Pama, Robyn Brown, Jelly Paragile, Jeralyn Rodriguez, Bernalyn Bejoy, Naomi Cesar, Susan Ramadan, Christine Hallagasgo, Artjoy Torregosa, Jessa Mae Roda, Edna Magtubo, Joida Gagnao, Sep Blessee Placido, Mariel Abuan, Alyana Nicolas, Sarah Dquinan, Daniel Daynata, Amanda Javellana, Ana Espenilla and Evalyn Palabrica.
