Big splash for RP tankers

On stream. That’s how Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (PASA) secretary-general Ral Rosario describes the state of affairs in the long-term program to bring the country’s tankers back in the Asian limelight.

Since PASA president Ed Ledesma and Rosario took charge five years ago, they’ve dedicated themselves to the goal of making the Philippines competitive once more in Asian swimming.

The Philippines hasn’t struck gold in SEA Games swimming since Ryan Papa hit paydirt twice in the 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke in Jakarta in 1997. And the last Filipino swimmer to capture gold in the Asian Games was Billy Wilson who ruled the 200-meter freestyle in New Delhi in 1982–20 years ago.

But the signs of progress are evident. At the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur last year, Filipino tankers were shut out in the race for gold but brought back six silvers and four bronzes, prompting officials to exclaim that finally, the Philippines is back in contention as a regional power.

And at the 26th SEA Age Group Championships in Bangkok last month, youthful Filipino swimmers collected 17 gold, 19 silver, and 17 bronze medals. In the process, the tankers broke four SEA and Philippine age group records. There were 23 swimmers, averaging 14 years old, in the squad. In contrast, Thailand fielded 50 swimmers and garnered 50 golds.

Rosario, 44, says in three years–when the Philippines hosts the SEA Games in 2005–the Filipino tankers will be ready to dominate.

"We’re strong in the 11 to 12 age group bracket," notes Rosario who earned a gold in the 200-meter freestyle at the 1978 Bangkok Asian Games. "We’re building up for the future. Our grassroots program has discovered prospects in provinces like Quezon and Negros Occidental. We’ve got 24 swimmers, including those studying abroad, in our national pool at present. The swimmers who are based in Manila train twice a day, 5 to 6:30 in the morning and 5 to 7:30 at night, six days a week, under coach Ruzo Ishikawa. We’re getting good exposure overseas–we’ve got two swimmers competing at the Pan Pacific Championships in Yokohama where at least 25 countries are participating and 11 at the Asian Age Group Competitions in China, both in late August."

Rosario admits it’s an uphill climb for Filipinos to make waves at the Asian Games where China and Japan are expected to split the spoils in Busan this September. Still, he’s confident the Philippines will be in the thick of things and pull some surprises.

So far, six tankers are assured of slots in the Asiad. They are breaststroker Jenny Guerrero, backstroker Lizza Danila, freestyler Miguel Molina, individual medley specialist Juan Carlo Piccio, freestyler Miguel Mendoza, and breaststroker Timmy Chua.

Rosario says there are others who may qualify and join the squad in Busan. The qualifying time is the second place finish at the last SEA Games. Candidates in the queue are freestyler Mark Kalaw, 13-year-old freestyler Heidi Ong, flyer Luica Dacanay, freestyler Michelle Nisce and US-born breaststroker Bayani Flores of the University of California at Berkeley.

Four of the six in the sure list competed at the Sydney Olympics. Rosario says the experience has gone a long way in boosting their confidence. "It’s all about timing, when to send an athlete to the Olympics," explains Rosario, a two-time Olympian. "The initial exposure is a big confidence builder. Jenny, for instance, was a lot tougher in the last SEA Games because of her Olympics experience. She almost took the gold in the 100-meter breaststroke, got the silver instead, and also had two bronzes."

Rosario says PASA is careful in choosing which international competitions to participate in. "We’d rather go to meets where we have a chance to improve or be competitive, particularly in Asia," he notes. "Does it help us that Eric (Buhain) is now the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman? Yes because he knows what our long-term program is all about. He was our national training director for eight years. But Eric doesn’t play favorites–he has no biases. He decides according to merit. We’re just one of many national sports associations (NSAs). Eric understands the problems in sports, how important international exposure is so we–not just the PASA but all NSAs–are lucky he’s in the PSC.

Rosario says the national pool is in good hands with Ishikawa at the helm, assistant coach Bob Palacios and national training director Pinky Brosas. Ishikawa came here six years via a Japan aid exchange program and has done wonders for local tankers.

In looking for prospects, Rosario says his ideal female swimmer would be a 5-8 or 5-9, 130-pound version of a Jenny Guerrero. "If we had an Alvin Patrimonio–tall, athletic, positive attitude–in the swimming team, that would be fantastic," he notes. "But most of the country’s best athletes end up in basketball, not swimming." It’s not as if Rosario isn’t pleased with the talent in the national pool because he is. There’s just such a thing as wishful thinking.

Rosario says Arena’s sponsorship of the national team is like manna from heaven. Arena, a leading swimwear brand established in 1973 by Adidas founder Adi Dassler’s son Horst, recently signed a two-year contract to supply Filipino tankers with its top-of-the-line merchandise. Anton Gonzalez, president of Arena’s exclusive Philippine distributor Planet Sports, inked the deal with Rosario in Makati last Tuesday.

"We’re excited to wear Arena," says Rosario. "The right swimwear makes a big difference in a competition where 1/10 of a second could be critical. We want our swimmers to feel light and fast in the water."

Gonzalez says Arena’s swimwear reduces water flow resistance and creates lightness. The spiral pattern optimizes the material to smooth out the ups and downs of the skin so that skin trembling is suppressed without pinching, he adds.

"We know the potential of our swimmers," says Gonzalez. "Our hope is the Arena swimwear will enhance their performance and contribute to their development."

Arena, which is endorsed by legendary sprinter Alexander (The Russian Rocket) Popov, is providing its celebrated high-end spiral swimwear, costing about P11,500, for the country’s female tankers. Competition swimwear averages P3,000 to P5,000 in cost while leisure wear, about P1,500. Male swimwear ranges from P600 to P3,000.

Rosario says with Arena’s support, he expects the national tankers to make a bigger splash in coming competitions.