By RAMON BONILLA
CHENGDU — Stephen Arapoc is not one to submit to any challenges, even at this magnitude that is the World Games.
The Team Philippines Chef de Mission is clearly unbothered by the looming challenges in this multisport event for non-Olympic disciplines, with the Filipinos even exuding confidence more than being the usual look of underdogs.
Some bets were even marked and respected by foreign rivals, which is a rare occasion given that his Chengdu meet is expected to gather the finest 7,000 athletes from around the world.
And he sure has the numbers in his mind, but the muay thai president would rather be modest than overassuring.
“With team work and strong support from the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission, there is no doubt we will produce champions here,” said Arapoc, who is flying to this Chinese city Wednesday afternoon.
With world champions and veterans in the mix, Team Philippines is counting down the days before the actual action begins and start making bold statements across venues dotted around this ultramodern metropolis that has rolled down the red carpet by every inch from the Tianfu Airport to the humongous billeting complex.
Wushu stars Agatha Wong and Jones Inso, and cable wakeboarder Raph Trinidad tasted the world-class treatment touched by Chinese hospitality upon arriving Tuesday morning.
Minus the language barrier that has created both the confusion and friendship afterwards, everything felt just like home — the kindness, the delectable selection of food at the big dining area, and the surprising hot weather that mimics Manila.
“Food and room are great, so far everything is okay,” said floorball president Marco Ortiz, whose team was first to dip its toes on the mainland as the players needed to prepare for their preliminary game against Latvia Thursday morning.
With everyone about to settle at the Tianfu International Hotel Complex — one of the two “Villages” for both the athletes and officials — Team Philippines is slowly getting the manpower with the arrival of the 12-man dragon boat team, Rudzma Abubakar, and the duathlon squad Wednesday.
The numbers are surely important with the opening ceremony set at the Tianfu International Convention Centre the following day, with athletes all enjoined to join the parade and wave the Philippine flag.
