KABUUANG 272 atleta at 63 opisyal mula sa 31 sports ang kabilang sa Philippine delegation na isasabak sa 18th Asian Games sa Palembang, Indonesia sa Agosto 18 hanggang Setyembre 2.

Sa opisyal na talaan ng delegasyon sa isinumiteng ‘candidate by names’ ng Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) sa Palembang Asian Games Organizing Committee (PAGOC) nitong Hunyo 30 – ang deadline sa pagsumite ng line-up – limang team sports ang kasama sa delegasyon, kabilang ang kontrobersyal na women’s volleyball.

Hindi nakapasa sa criteria na itinakda ng joint POC-PSC Task Force ang women’s volleyball bunsod nang malamyang kampanya sa international kompetisyon, kabilang ang 2017 SEA Games sa Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia kung saan hindi nakapasok sa medal round ang koponan.

Bukod sa nagaganap na ‘leadership dispute’ sa volleyball association sa pagitan ng Philippine

Volleyball Fedeartion (PVF) at binuo ni dating POC president Jose Cojuangco na Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas Inc, walang opisyal na national pool ang women’s volleyball.

Sa kabila nito, sinuportahan nina POC president Ricky Vargas at Chief of Mission Richard Gomez ang women’s volleyball dahil na rin umano sa mataas na pagtanggap ng Pinoy sa volleyball sa kasalukuyan.

“Wala pa yatang isang buwan na nabuo at nagsasanay ang women’s volleyball. Paano sila makakasabay sa Asian rivals tulad ng Japan, Korea, China at mga dating middle east country? Hindi ba parang kawawa naman ang ating mga players na isasabak mo sa world-class competition na hindi handa,” pahayag ni Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Ramon ‘El Presidente’ Fernandez.

Nanindigan ang PSC official na hindi nila susuportahan ang partisipasyon ng women’s volleyball.

‘Kung gusto nila, gastusan nila at kung mag-medal reimbursed namin yung nagastos nila,” sambit ni Fernandez.

Wala pang opisyal na pahayag ang POC kung gagastusan nila ang women’s volleyball. Naisantabi na ng PSC ang budget na P30 milyon para sa actual na partisipasyon ng delegasyon na pinangungunahan ng taekwondo na may pinakamaraming atleta sa individual sports na 17 (walong lalaki at siyam na babae).

Narito ang kompletong listahan ng Philippine Team sa Asian Games 2018:

Swimming (James Deiparine, Jasmine Alkhaldi and Roxanne Yu); Archery (Joseph Benjamin Vicencio, Earl Benjamin Yap, Paul Marton Dela Cruz, Nicole Marie Tagle-recurve at Amaya Amparo Cojuangco); Athletics (Eric Shauwn Cray, Trenten Anthony Beram, Marco Vilog, Mark Harry Diones, Aries Toledo, Ernest John Obeina, Mary Joy Tabal at Marestella Sunang); Softball (Francesca Altamonte, Angelie Ursabia, Mary Ann Antolihao, Riflayca Basa, Mia Macapagal, Cristy Joy Roa, Shaira Damasing, Riezel Calumbtres, Arianne Vallestero, kaith Ezra Jalandonia, Garnet Agnes Blando, hailey Cassandra Decker, Skyline Kopia Ellazar, Danielle Lindsey Gilmore, Reese Miquelle Guevarra, Sierra Arlyna Lange at Chelsea Kaitlyn Suitos);

Basketball (Jayson Williams, Terrence Romeo, Jericho Cruz, Roger Pogoy, Caledonio Trollano, Anthony Semerad, Troy Rosario, Kelly Williams, Ricci Rivero, Kobe Paras, Abu Tratter at Andray Blatche); Bowling (Kenneth Chua, Angelo Kenzo Umali, Enrico Hernandez,Raoul Miranda, Jo Mar Jumapao, Merwin Tan, Dyan Coronacion, Krizzia Tabora, Maria Liza del Rosario, Maria Lourdes Arles, Marian Posadas, rachell Leon); Boxing (Carlo Paalam, ian Clark Bautista, Mario Fernandez, James Palicte, Joel Bacho, Eumir Marcial, Aira Villegas, Nesthy Petecio); Bridge (Kong Te Yang, Felipe Manalang. Joseph Maliwat, Andrew Falcon, Alberto Quiogue, George Soo, Allen Tan, Romulo Vilora, Francisco Alquiros, mary Christy de Guzman, Victoria Egan, Gemma Mariano);

Canoe/Kayak/Boat race (Jordan de Guia, John delos Santos, France Feliciano, Mark Frias, Ojay Fuentes, Hermie Macaranas, Oliver Manaig, Roger Kenneth Masbate, Reymart Nevado, Daniel Ortega, Roberto Pantaleon, John Paul Selencio, Jerome Solis, Christian Urso, Apple Abitona, Raquel Almencion, Lealyn Baligasa, Patricia Bustamante, Maribeth Caranto, Eosalyn Esguerra, Bernadeth Espena, Glaiza Liwag, Aidelyn Lustre, Shairmane Mangilit, Therese Mofar, Rhea Roa, Christine mae Talledo); Cycling (Cristopher Caluag, Daniel Caluag, Eleazar Barba, John Derrick Farr, Marella Salamat, Ariana Dormitorio, Sienna Elaine Finnes);

Equestrian (Joker Arroyo, Marie Antonette Leviste, Chiara Amor); Fencing (Nathaniel Perez, Brennan Louie, Michael Nicanor, Noellito Jose, Samantha Catantan, Maxine Esteban, Justine Gail Tinio, Hanniel Abella); Golf (Ruperto Zaragosa, Luigi Wong, Peter Po III, Weiwei Gao, Yuka Saso, Bianca Pagdanganan, Claire Legaspi); Gymnastics (Reyland Capellan, Carlos Yulo, Jag Timbang, Billy Joseph Ang, Marco Lee, Kaitlin de Guzman, Ma. Cristina Onofre, Corinne Bunagan, Shieldannah Sabio, Marian Medina); Judo (Shugen Nakano, Keisei Nakano, Kohei Kohagura, Kiyomi Watanabe, Mariya Takahashi, Megumi Kurayoshi);

Karate (Rayson Macaalay, Shareef Arif, Orecio James Delos Santos, Mae Soriano, Junna Tsukii); Jujitsu (Gian Taylor Dee, Marc Lim, Eros Baluyot, Erwin Tagle, Adrian Guggenheim, Margarita Ochoa, Annie Ramirez, Janna Kaila Napolis, Apryl Eppinger); Pencat Silat (Dines Dumaan, Jeffrey Rhey Loon, Alvin campos, Alhomaidib Abad, Alfau Abad, Princess Enopia, Precious Jade Borre, Cherry Maty Regalado), Wushu (Francisco Solis, Jean Claude Saclag, Daniel Paratac, Clemente Tabugara, Jones Inso, Thorton Savan, Agatha Wong, Divine Wally);Kurash (Alloran Llamas, Loyd Catipon, Jason Balabal, Christof Hofman, Helen Dawa, Grace Loberanes, Jennie Mosqueda, Noemi Tener);

Sailing/Windsurfing (Lester Tayong, Geylord Coveta, Emerson Villena); Sepak Takraw (Jason Huerte, John Morcillos, Rheyjey Ortuoste, Joeart Jumawan, Ronsited Gabayeron, John Bobier, Joshua Bullo, Emmanuel Escote, Alvin Pangan, Regue Pabriga); Shooting (Jayson Valdez, Joaquin Ancheta, Hagen Topacio, Amparo Acuna); Sports Climbing (Gerald Verosil); Skateboard (Mark Feliciano, Jeffrey Gonzales, Margielyn Didal); Squash (Robert Garcia, David Pelino, Reymark Begornia, Lydio Espinola, Jamyca Aribado, Yvonne Dalida, Regina Borromeo, Andrea Jemiola); Table Tennis (Jann Mari Mayre); Taekwondo (Dustin Mella, Rodolfo Reyes, Jordan Dominguez, Jenar Torillos, Francis Agojo, Arven Alcantara, Christian Dela Cruz, Kristopher Uy, Baby Canabal, Rhezie Aragon, Pauline Lopez, Darlene Arpon, Kirstie Alora, Janna Oliva, Juvenile Crisostomo, Jocelyn Ninobia, Rinna Babanto);

Tennis (Ruben Gonzales, Francis Alcantara, Jeson Patrombon, Alberto Lim, Anna Clarrisse Patrimonio, Katharina Lehnart, Marian Jade Capadocia); Soft Tennis (Mark Alcoseba, Joseph Arcilla, Noel Damian, Mikoff Manduriao, Vince Ramiscal, Odessa Arzaga, Princess Catindig, Jamaica Daquio, Neoelle Manalac, Khyshana Hitosis); Triathlon (Mark Hosana, John Chicano, Mark Hosana, Ma. Claire Adorna, Kim Mangrobang, Kimberly Kilgore); Volleyball (Mary Joy Baron, Charlene Cruz, Kim Dy, Kim Fajardo, Dawn Macandili, Aleona Manabat, Abigail Marano, Francis Molina, Julia Morado, Mika Reyes, Alyja Santiago, Alyssa Valdez, Maika Ortiz, Denise Lazaro); Weighlifting (Nestor Colonia, Hidilyn Diaz, Kristel Macrohon); Wrestling (Alvin Lobrequito, Jefferson Manatad)

-EDWIN ROLLON