PASA explains Ishikawa blacklist

Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (PASA) president Chito Ilagan said Japanese Ryuzo Ishikawa has outlived his usefulness as a national coach. That’s why he’s been axed, much to the consternation of Southeast Asian (SEA) Games-bound swimmers Jenny Guerrero and Timmy Chua who are his protégés.

Ishikawa’s services were terminated last May.

"Our swimmers weren’t improving," said PASA secretary-general Chito Rivera. "We weren’t going anywhere. Kung minsan mabilis, kung minsan mabagal. We weren’t consistent. Besides, we found him guilty of insubordination. He didn’t seem to respect our authority."

Rivera noted that last April, Ishikawa sought clearance from PASA to bring a team of swimmers to compete in Japan. He said the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Olympic Committee disapproved the request on the basis of PASA’s recommendation. Still, Ishikawa insisted on proceeding with the trip and in fact, went ahead.

"We decided to redirect the training program without Ishikawa," he continued. "Then, we got a request from two of our national swimmers to compete in Japan with Ishikawa as their coach. The budget for the trip was P1.3 Million. With six swimmers in the First Gentleman’s ASAP (Alay Sa Suporta Sa Atletang Pilipino) program at about P237,000 each, we could not justify using up nearly the entire fund for the trip. It was just not equitable."

Rivera claimed that despite Jenny Guerrero’s father complaining that the training program had lost its focus without Ishikawa, the entire aquatics group is on target to bring home eight to nine gold medals. The group is made up of swimmers, divers and the water polo team.

"We’re progressing," he said. "Ishikawa would’ve set us back. We’re looking forward to continue improving year after year. When we evaluate the performance of our swimmers, we consider their time, not their past medals. Jenny’s doing very well. She’s one of our gold medal hopes. The national team practices three straight days then takes a day off then goes back to three straight days and so on. Sometimes, the swimmers practice morning and afternoon."

Rivera said the training program is 85 to 90 percent on schedule. The swimmers and divers are set to leave for Vietnam on Dec. 2. The swimmers splash to action on Dec. 6 and the divers, the next day. The water polo team departed yesterday and begins competition tomorrow.

Rivera said there is reason to be upbeat. Last September, the Philippines took the overall championship at the ASEAN age-group competitions in San Pablo City–the country’s first triumph in 19 years.

Although the outlook is bright for the SEA Games, Rivera said the PASA can’t please everybody, including butterfly stroker Benjamin Uy who was left out of the squad. "Swimming is a measurable sport," he explained. "It took us several days to complete the national lineup. We tried to include Uy and it pained me to exclude him because we gave priority to those who could compete in other events. Our decision-making was transparent. Our conscience is clear and our hands are clear. We chose the most deserving swimmers."

Ilagan was elected PASA president last November after Eddie Ledesma quit a few months before due to a misunderstanding with the PSC on the funding of a trip. He said the PASA is on the lookout for a foreign coach to train the national swimmers and US Olympic coach Rick Powers of San Francisco is scouting for a warm body to take the tankers to the next level.

While the PASA no longer has relations with Ishikawa, the Japanese appears to be still under PSC contract to train age-groupers. Ilagan said whatever Ishikawa does has no blessings from the PASA.

As for Guerrero complaining of losing her focus without Ishikawa, Ilagan said in the long run, she will appreciate what the PASA is doing. He mentioned that the PASA’s redirected training program is suited to local conditions, applicable to all the swimmers in the national pool.

"No need to worry," said Rivera. From his pronouncements, expect a big splash from the Philippine aquatics squad in Vietnam.