SEAG vets banner RP bid in Thai Open

Eight stalwarts of the RP athletics squad that won individual gold medals in the 2003 Vietnam SEA Games will spearhead the Philippine campaign in the Thailand National Open slated April 27-30 in Bangkok.

Wiry five-footer Eduardo Buenavista, the pride of South Cotabato who ruled the 10,000-m in Hanoi last December, Ernie Candelario, who copped the 400-m and Lerma Bulauitan-Gabito, who captured the women’s long jump, will be joined by Danilo Fresnido (javelin), Arniel Ferrera (hammer), Alan Ballester (marathon), John Lozada (1500-m) and Rene Herrera (3000-msc) against counterparts from Asia.

Buenavista will vie in the 5,000-m to keep him competitively in shape although his coaches have shifted him to the 42-k marathon but which event is not being staged in the Thai annual event.

Bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission, the Filipinos’ participation is part of the rigid preparations being taken by the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association for the 2005 biennial event to be hosted by the country.

"We want to help the Philippines win the over-all championships by winning as many golds as we can in athletics. We can only do this if we have the luxury of time, training and foreign exposure," PATAFA president Go Teng Kok said.

In Vietnam, Go’s charges went home with 8 golds with Thailand winning 15 and the hosts ruling 8 events.

Ballester, although the marathon winner in Vietnam, has been shifted to the 10,000-m event.

Completing the cast are the men’s silver winner in the 4 x 400-m relay composed of Jimar Aing, Candelario, Rodrigo Tanuan and Ronnie Marfil; bronze bedalists Joebert Delicano and Mercedita Manipol and 2003 Asian Grand Prix bronze winner Marestella Torres.

"Given the breaks, all of them can win golds in 2005. We need to strengthen also the relay teams, where we missed the gold in the men’s event by a tactical mistake."

Go said he is hopeful that the hometown advantage will spell victory for his wards who braved the chilly winter weather in Hanoi last December.

"Sobra ang laming dun . . . we were all shaking. Buti na lang, talagang determined sila na manalo," the athletics chief said.

Accompanying the Pinoy standouts are had coach Isidro del Prado and assistant coach Mario Castro. The RP delegation is tentatively scheduled to leave April 25 to acclimatize for the tough tournament.