After attending Saturday’s glitzy opening ceremonies ushering in the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG), the country’s only Davao City-based National Sports Association (NSA) Pilipinas Sambo begins its quest for medals in their first ever stint in the 11-nation sports conclave.
“We are aiming for the overall title,” Pilipinas Sambo secretary-general Paolo Tancontian told Edge Davao.
Tancontian said they had enough preparation for this historic competition and the organization is confident that their fighters will deliver.
“Pilipinas Sambo have 11 athletes who will compete in seven categories. To be honest, we can get 3 to 4 gold medals,” he said, adding that their lean but mean team will go against tough countries including Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia.
Tancontian’s youngest son Chino will be the lone Dabawenyo to banner the veteran-laden Team Pilipinas Sambo composed of the legendary Rene Catalan, Mark Streigl, Patrick Dos Santos, Jose Rene Mondejar III, Patrick Paul Manicad, Marianne Mariano, Jedd Andre Kim, Renzo Miguel Cazeñas, Helen Alcopen, and Alyssa Charisse Andal with head coaches Ace Larida of Davao City and Jerry Legaspi.
Apart from gunning for the overall title, Pilipinas Sambo also took the helm in hosting the tournament slated December 5 to 6 at the Angeles University Foundation in Clark, Pampanga.
The event will take flight on day typhoon Kammuri is poised to hit a large area of the country including the venues of the 30th SEAG.
Tancontian, however, said the competition won’t be much affected by the typhoon since their venue is indoor.
On a different note, Tancontian said the standard mats provided by the Philippine Sea Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) which will be used for the tournament will arrive on December 1 and will be open for practice.
“Perfect na ang preparation, nothing to worry about,” said the secretary-general.
In terms of food, Pilipinas Sambo assured that athletes will get enough nutritious meals since they are covered by the athlete’s village services.
