MANILA, Philippines — Sina speed skater Peter Groseclose at curling athlete Kathleen Dubberstein ang magiging flag-bearers ng Team Philippines sa opening ceremony ng Ninth Asian Winter Games sa Harbin International Convention Exhibition and Sports Center.
Maganda ang naging debut nina unranked Filipino-American na si Dubberstein at Filipino-Swiss na si Marc Pfister sa mixed doubles matapos talunin ang mga tropa ng South Korea, Kyrgyzstan at Qatar sa round- robin play ng curling event.
Ngunit nakalasap sila 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 Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino kasama sina 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.
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.
“Our curling team is doing good, and their confidence is growing. There’s a chance that we could win a medal,’’ ani Tolentino.