Former Olympian and incumbent shooting president Art Macapagal yesterday predicted that "(Filipino) shooters will do better in the Vietnam Southeast Asian Games than in the (Kuala Lumpur) competitions two years ago."
"We won only one gold and several silver and bronze medals (in KL), but I’m confident that we’d surpass this record," said Macapagal, who competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympics together with Mariano "Tom" Ong, when he graced yesterday’s PSA Forum at Manila Pavilion together with shooters Nathaniel "Tac" Padilla and Rachel Capili and vice president/technical official Joey Mundo.
According to Macapagal, the Philippines has a stronger team in Vietnam. "The shooters are in high spirits and they have trained hard and passed stringent qualifying tests," he explained.
In fact, the shooters — 22 in all – will have their first big test prior to the Vietnam SEAG on Oct. 20-27 when they compete in the Bangkok Open, which features the best marksmen not only from the region but also from Asia.
Aside from Padilla and Capili, those making the Bangkok trip are Eric Ang, Jethro Dionisio, Jaime Recio, Roberto Bote Jr., Emerito Concepcion, Daryl Sandoval, Gilbert Escobar, Marcelo Gonzales, Carolino Gonzales, Edwin Fernandez, Dennis Hernandez, Eddie Tomas, Darius Hizon, Paul Brian Rosario, Susan Aguado, Therese Cantada, Luz Samaco, Gay Corral, Roselle Santos and Ma. Pilar Tan.
Padilla, the country’s pistol champion since 1976, is aching to get the gold in his favorite rapid fire pistol event, where he lost by a slim margin in KL.
"I am confident of making it this time," said Padilla, who holds the national record of 587 points. "I think 580 is good enough to win the gold," added the 39-year-old general manager of Spring Cooking Oil, who will also vie in the center fire and standard pistol events.
Padilla trains three times a week in his own range in Malabon in preparation for the SEAG.