MANILA, Philippines — Nakatakdang dumating ngayon sa Hanoi, Vietnam ang 193 miyembro ng Team Philippines dalawang araw bago ang opening ceremony ng 31st Southeast Asian Games.
Pamumunuan nina world gymnastics champion Carlos Edriel Yulo at women’s volleyball team members Alyssa Valdez, Aby Maraño at Jaja Santiago ang mga national athletes at coaches.
Puntirya ni Yulo na makapag-uwi ng mas maraming medalya matapos kumubra ng dalawang gold at limang silver medals noong 2019 Manila SEA Games.
Hangad naman nina Valdez, Maraño, Santiago at ng national women’s volleyball squad na mapaganda ang fourth-place finish noong nakaraang edisyon ng biennial meet.
“They have to be free of distractions so they can focus on their respective competitions ahead,’’ ani PSC Commissioner at Chef De Mission Ramon Fernandez.
Idedepensa ng Team Philippines ang overall crown na nakopo nang pamahalaan ang 2019 SEA Games.
May kabuuang 22 athletes at coaches ang gymnastics kasunod ang badminton (19), bodybuilding (13), fencing (28), table tennis (17), tennis (12), athletics (8), wushu (17) at swimming (1).
Nasa Vietnamese capital na ang mga national teams ng kickboxing, handball, men’s at women’s football, rowing, chess, kurash, pencak silat, men’s 3x3 basketball, women’s basketball, golf at triathlon/duathlon.
Darating naman bukas ang 50 track and field athletes at officials kasama si World No. 5 at Asian record holder Ernest John Obiena kasabay ang mga atleta ng esports (25), billiards (10), bowling (13), cycling (16), golf (2), jiujitsu (9) at swimming (3).