PASA predicts six golds in SEAG

The Philippine Amateur Swimming Association is aiming for six of the 32 gold medals at stake in the Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur despite fielding just eight participants approved recently by the joint Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission SEAG Task Force.

"We may have a lean delegation but all of them are qualified given the bronze medal standard set by the Task Force," Rosario said.

The RP swimming team will be led by 2000 Sydney Olympics veterans Miguel Mendoza, Juan Carlo Piccio, Jenny Guerrero and Liza Danila with newcomers Miguel Molina, Mark Kalaw, Luika Dacanay and Lynette Ang rounding up the squad.

Currently training in the United States, both Piccio and Mendoza made heads turn with decent performances in Sydney. Piccio established a personal best record in his favorite event, the 1,500-m medley, while Mendoza shattered the old RP mark in the 400-m freestyle.

Meanwhile, Kathy Echeverri was dropped from the squad after the US-based swimmer did not respond to repeated calls by the association for a try out. –Joey Villar