Ni Edwin G. Rollon
Team PH Athletics, kumpiyansa; Obiena, asam ang SEA Games record.
HINDI pa nabibigo ang athletics team sa sambayanan sa bawat pagsabak sa Southeast Asian Games.
Binubuo ng mga batang Pinoy at matitikas na Fil-Am tracksters, target ng Philippine athletics team – kilala bilang Popoy’s Army – na malagpasan ang limang gintong napagwagihan sa Singapore sa kanilang pagsabak sa ika-29 edisyon ng biennial meet sa Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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At kung hindi matitisod sa laban, inaasahang maitatala ni EJ Obiena ang SEA games mark sa pole vault.
“I’m confident to set a new mark in this year’s SEA Games. I trained hard, and prepared for this moment,” pahayag ng 20-anyos na si Obiena, anak ng dati ring SEAG pole vault champion na si Emerson.
May dahilan para sa matibay na pananalita ang batang Obiena.
Sa kanyang huling pocket tournament na nilahukan sa Italy kung saan din siya nagsanay sa nakalipas na anim na buwan, naitala ni Obiena ang 6.3 meters – malayong malayo sa kasalukuyang SEAG mark na 5.3 meters.
“Talagang nahasa ng todo. We expected him to win the gold, no more, no less,” sambit ng amang si Emerson.
Sa taas na 6-foot-1, tunay na may bentahe si Obiena para sa minimithing overall championship sa athletics na huling nagawa ng Team Philippines noong 2003 Vietnam SEAG (10 ginto) sa pamumuno noon ng nagretiro nang Patafa president na si Go Teng Kok.
“We are hoping to equal or surpass our medal harvest from the 2015 Singapore SEA Games. God willing and with the right strategy and discipline, we can do it.”, pahayag ni Patafa chief Philip Ella ‘Popoy’ Juico sa ginanap na ‘send-off’ ng koponan kahapon sa Marriott Hotel sa Pasay City.
Tumapos ang Team Philippines sa ikaapat na puwesto sa athletics sa Singapore edition may dalawang taon na ang nakalilipas sa likod ng Thailand, Vietnam, at Indonesia, tangan ang limang ginto, pitong silver at siyam na bronze medal.
Kasama sa Team Philippines sina Patrick Unso (110m hurdles), Ernest John Obiena (pole vault), Eloiza Luzon (4x100m, 4x400m) Emliy Jean Obiena (pole vault) Evalyn Palabrica (javelin throw) Katherine Khay Santos (long jump, 4x100m, 4x400m) Kayla Richardson (200m, 4x100m, 4x400m) Kyla Richardson (4x100m, 4x400m) Marestella Torres-Sunang (long jump) Mary Joy Tabal (marathon) Narcissa Atienza (heptathlon) Rhea Joy Sumalpong (discuss throw) Riezel Buenaventura (pole vault) Rosie Villarito (javelin throw);
Zion Rose Corrales Nelson (100m, 400m, 4x100m, 4x400m) Men Anfernee Lopena (100m, 4x100m) Archand Christian Bagsit (200m, 4x100m, 4x400m) Aries Toledo (decathlon, 4x400m) Arniel Ferrera (hammer throw) Christopher Ulboc (3000m steeplechase) Clinton Bautista (110m hurdles) Edgardo Alejan Jr. (400m, 4x400m) Elbren Neri (1500m) Eric Shauwn Cray (100m, 400m hurdles, 4x100m, 4x400m) Ernest John Obiena (pole vault) Francis Medina (400m hurdles) Immuel Camino (3000m steeplechase) Janry Ubas (long jump);
Jeson Agravante (marathon) Kenny Gonzales (javelin throw) Manuel Lasangue (high jump) Marco Vilog (800m) Mark Harry Diones (triple jump, 4x100m) Melvin Calano (javelin throw) Mervin Guarte (800m, 1500m) Michael del Prado (4x400m) Ronne Malipay (triple jump) Patrick Unso (110m hurdles, 4x100m) Trenten Beram (200m, 4x100m, 4x400m) Tyler Ruiz (long jump).
Suportado ang koponan ng Philippine Sports Commission, Ayala Corporation, UCPB Gen, Cherrylume Corrugated Sheets,Soleus, L TimeStudio, at Marriott Hotel Manila.
