RP tracksters target four-gold haul

VIENTIANE – Filipino track and field athletes are eyeing a four-gold romp as action in medal-rich athletics fires off today in the 25th Southeast Asian Games at the Lao National Sports Complex here.

The Philippines is actually seeing action in six of the 13 events on tap in the day but Philippine Amateur Track and Field president Go Teng Kok only picks hammer thrower Arnel Ferrera, 400m hurdles expert Junrey Bano, steeplechaser Rene Herrera and 5,000m runner Julius Sermona as the best bets for gold medals.

“I am not discounting good performances from our two other athletes but our scouting report indicates that the field is very tough in women’s javelin and men’s shot put,” said Go.

Also seeing action for the 20-man Philippine athletics team are javelin thrower Rosie Villarito and shot put entry Eliezer Sunang.

Go also expects Ferrera to further improve his SEAG record 16.98 which he established in Vietnam in 2003.

“We have a good combination of young athletes and veterans. We hope that we will be able to significantly contribute to our country’s bid,” said Go.

Traditionally, athletics is one of the major gold medal producers of the country in the biennial games. The highest output of the team was nine gold medals in the 2001 Malaysia SEAG.