POC tiwala sa Team Philippines sa Asian Winter Games

MANILA, Philippines — Kumpiyansa si Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino sa tsansa ng Team Philippines na manalo ng medalya sa Ninth Asian Winter Games sa Harbin, China.

Ito ay matapos magpasiklab sina Fil-Am Kathleen Dubberstein at Fil-Swiss Marc sa round- robin play ng mixed doubles ng curling event.

“Our curling team is doing good, and their confidence is growing. There’s a chance that we could win a medal,’’ ani Tolentino.

Matapos talunin ang mga atleta ng South Korea, Kyrgyzstan at Qatar sa round- robin play ay nakalasap sina Dubberstein at Pfister ng 6-9 kabiguan sa World No. 15 China.

“What more could we ask for an inspiring start in the Philippines’ debut in curling in these games,” ani Tolentino kasama si secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan at Chef De Mission Ricky Lim.

Sa kabila ng kabiguan ay nakatiyak pa rin sina Pfister at Dubberstein ng tiket sa quarterfinals para sa potential medal ng Team Philippines na suportado ng Philippine Sports Commission.

Samantala, hinirang ni Tolentino sina speed skater Peter Groseclose at Dubberstein bilang flag-bea­rers ng Team Philippines sa opening ceremony ng Ninth Asian Winter Games sa Harbin International Convention Exhibition and Sports Center.

Bago ang kanyang flag-bearing chores ay sasabak muna ang 17-anyos na si Groseclose sa morning heats ng men’s 500 at 1,000 meters at sa quarterfinals ng 1,500m sa Heilongjiang Ice Events Training Center.

“I’m ready and excited. Practices have been going well and I think I’ll be able to give a performance I can be proud of,’’ wika ni Groseclose na tumapos sa fifth overall sa 500m event noong 2024 Winter Youth Olympics sa Gangwon, South Korea.

Ang mga mananalo sa semifinals ng curling ang mag-aagawan para sa gold medal habang ang matatalo ang maglalaban para sa bronze-medal match.