NEW CLARK CITY – Mountain bike cross country and triathlon try to outrace each for the distinction as the country’s first gold medal provided in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Men’s triathlon will be the first to flag off at 6 a.m. at the Subic Bay Boardwalk, while mountain bike follows next an hour later at the newly constructed Tagaytay Centrum in Tagaytay, Batangas City.
John Chicano and Kim Remolino loom as the country’s top bet for the gold in triathlon, which Nikko Huelgas won in back-to-back fashion during the 2015 and 2017 edition of the meet, respectively.
In mountain bike, Eleazar Barba and John Derrick Farr lead the men’s category in the first race, while the distaff side will be bannered by Lea Denise Belgira and Naomi Gardoce.
Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) top official Tom Carrasco said it doesn’t concern him which between triathlon and cycling will give the country its first gold in the SEA Games’ return here after 14 long years.
“Hindi naman mahalaga na yun kung sino ang unang manalo sa amin ng gold. Maganda nga kung sabay pang manalo, at least dalawang gold na agad yun,” said Carrasco just before the formal opening ceremony of the Games Saturday night.
But he does wish triathlon accomplishes another two-gold sweep of the event, with the women’s competition to proceed the men’s event at 8 p.m.
“Yun lang ang panalangin natin na sana ipagkaloob naman,” said Carrasco.
Kim Mangrobang, an Olympic hopeful for the 2020 Tokyo Games, is favored to retain her women’s title.
The two sports kick off what is an otherwise gold medal-heavy Sunday.
World men’s floor exercise gymnastics champion Carlos Edriel Yulo gets his projected seven-gold target going when he sees action in the all-around event at the newly-renovated Rizal Memorial Complex.
A jampacked crowd is expected at the venue as Yulo’s family resides at nearby Leveriza St. or just a few blocks away from the historic facility.
The national polo team is also out to make history when it battles Malaysia for the inaugural gold in the event at the Miguel Romero field in Calatagan, Batangas.
The bulk of the golds however, are likely to come from dancesport and arnis, a sport that is making a comeback after a 14-year absence.
Eight will be at stake in arnis at the Angeles University Foundation, with Dexter Bolambao (men’s below-55 kg), Nino Talledo (men’s 55-60 kg), Villardo Cunamay (men’s above 60 kg), and Mike Banares (men’s above 65 kg) leading the charge.
The women’s standard bearers meanwhile are composed of Jezebel Morcillo (below 60 kg), Jude Rodriguez (50-55 kg), Eza Rai Yalong (55-60 kg), and Erl Busacay (above 60 kg).
In dancesport at the Royale Hotel, Sean Micha Araner and Ana Leonilla Nualla, along with Mark Jayson Gayon and MaryJoy Renigen will be at the forefront of the Filipinos’ bid in standard category
Michael Angelo Marquez and Stephanie Sabalo, together with Wilbert Aunzo and Pearl Marie Cenda take the spotlight in the latin category.
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