Lacuna, Patrombon, Barbosa kick off RP quest

MANILA, Philippines - Swimmer Jessie Lacuna, netter Jeson Patrombon and taekwondo jin Kirk Barbosa plunge into action right in the opening day of the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore on Sunday, hoping to set in motion the Philippines’ campaign in the inaugural staging of the event among the world’s future sporting stars.

Lacuna, who turned in an impressive clocking in March to clinch a berth in this event for athletes aged 14-18 years old, launches his bid in one of the four heats in the 400m free at the Singapore Sports School, not his favorite event but where he can be as competitive as well.

He expects to make a big splash in his pet 200m free on Monday where he is ranked No. 7 in the world.

“One thing going for Lacuna is that he’s only 16 and the six others ranked ahead of him are all 18 years old. It only shows that our young swimmers are now among the best in the world,” said RP chef de mission Mark Joseph. 

Patrombon, on the other hand, sees action in one of the four singles matches in boys’ tennis at the Kallang Tennis Centre, hoping to flaunt the form honed up by a series of top-level tournaments abroad.

But the 17-year-old Patrombon, priming up for the Junior US Open next month, will have his hands full since the 32-player YOG field features the top 12 junior netters in the world.

Barbosa, meanwhile, goes for at least a bronze right at the start of the -48kg taekwondo competitions at the International Convention Centre.

Only eight jins made it past the stringent YOG qualifier with the Filipino bet the smallest among the group at five feet. The lean field includes one 5-6, three 5-7s, one 5-9 and one 5-10 with Iran’s Mohammad Soeimani Delgram the other small guy at 5-1.

“If Barbosa draws a weaker competitor and wins that match, he is an automatic bronze medalist,” said Joseph, adding that RP’s chances also hinge on the luck of draw.

“We are still waiting for the draws on tennis and taekwondo. As you know this will spell how or if they will proceed higher, especially Barbosa,” said Joseph.  

Patrombon is also set to compete in the doubles where he will be paired with one of the top three Asians. 

“These Asians are all ranked among the top 10 in the world so they will pull him up and if he plays his game right, he could medal there too,” said Joseph.

Lacuna resumes his bid on Monday where fellow tanker Jasmin Alkhaldi will make his debut in the 100m free where she hopes to progress to the semis slated Monday night.

The 3-on-3 team of Jerome Teng, Michael Pate, Michael Tolomia and Bobby Ray Parks also gets to see action against Ivory Coast on Monday in a Group D clash at the Youth Space court 1.

The RP dribblers take on Spain on Tuesday starting at 12:30 p.m. then face Croatia and South Africa on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

The top two teams in each of the four groups will advance to the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, Patricia Llena, the country’s best bet for a medal, goes for it in the 63kg women final on Tuesday at the Toa Payoh Sports Hall.