New additions give Philippines rowing big hopes

MANILA, Philippines — Hopes are high for Philippine rowing with the addition of three young foreign-based talents to the national team under Belarusian coach Aliaksandra Tsekhanovich.

They are Ross Llaneta from New Zealand, 15; Enzo Santos from the United States, 17; and Jesu Matteo Manalo from Canada, 17. They have been training in the country for three weeks.

“We have our targets and we’re working hard. They are improving every day, every row. We all dream big together,” said the Belarusian coach.

They are being groomed for the Asian Under-19 Championships to be held in India from Dec. 1 to 7, and are undergoing rigid training at the La Mesa Dam while quartered at Philsports in Pasig. They will leave on Aug. 16.