8 GOLD, TANGKANG WALISIN NG PHL SA SEAG SKATEBOARDING

TATANGKAIN ng Pilipinas na ma-sweep ang walong golds na nakataya sa skateboarding sa darating na 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Ang events sa skateboarding ay street, park, game of skate at downhill sa men at women’s divisions. Ayon kay Skateboarding and Roller Sports Association of the Philippines, Inc. (SRSAPI) president Monty Mendigoria, posibleng masungkit ang mga ginto dahil sa paglahok ng Filipino-foreign players.

Ang kasalukuyang members ng national team ay sina 2018 Asian Games gold medalist Margielyn Didal, Renzo Mark Feliciano, Jeff Gonzales, US-based Christiana Means at Jericho “Kiko” Francisco Jr. Si Means ay taga-Portland, Oregon samantalang si Francisco ay nakatira sa Carson, California.

May isa pang Fil-Am at Fil-German na balak kunin si Mendigoria para lalong palakasin ang line-up.

“We’re eyeing a sweep of all eight golds at stake in the SEA Games. With a team reinforced by top-level Fil-foreigners, I think we can achieve our goal,” sabi ni Mendigoria sa Tabloid Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) Forum sa National Press Club, Intramuros kahapon na live sa Glitter streaming at hatid ng Guyabano Tealeaf drink. Kasalukuyang ginagawa sa Tagaytay ang skateboarding venue na gagamitin sa SEAG. Ito ay katabi ng cycling BMX venue na malapit sa City Hall.

“We were assured that the venue will be finished by September,” ani Mendigoria. Idinagdag pa ni Mendigoria na magkakaroon ng National Championship para magsilbing final qualifying tournament para piliin ang isasabak sa SEAG. “We’re done with the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao qualifying. The top 3 (street and game of skate) and top 10 (downhill) from the qualifying tournaments will compete in the Nationals. After this tournament, we will announce the lineup for the SEAG,” paliwanag ni Mendigoria. (MC)