Fil-Am skaters vie in Asian Winter Games

MANILA, Philippines –  Four Fil-Am skaters will be the first among the members of Team Philippines to plunge into international action this year as they compete in the seventh Asian Winter Games in Astana and Almaty, Kazakshtan next month.

Philippine Skating Union president Pocholo Veguillas said Phl will field veteran Gracielle Jean Tan; 15-year-old national women’s champ Zhaira Costiniano from Dallas; and Mericien Venzon, 19, from California in the women’s short program of the Feb. 1-6 competition. Chicago-based Fil-Am Maverick Clint Eguia will be the lone entry in the men’s side.

The team, according to Veguillas, has a modest target in the meet, considering that the Phl skaters will go up against powerhouse rivals from Korea, Japan and China.

“Our aim is to improve our standing (in the last Asian Winter Games in 2007 in Changchun, China) and finish in the upper half this time,” Veguillas told The STAR yesterday.

In the previous Asian Winter joust, the then debuting Phl crew composed of five skaters placed in the lower rung of the singles short program events, with a best finish of eighth and a low of 15th.   – Olmin Leyba

The Kazakhstan-bound four skaters, along with Veguillas, chef de mission and Philippine Olympic Committee secretary general Steve Hontiveros and two coaches, will leave on Jan. 29.

Although a tropical country, the Philippines is sending bets to the Asian Winter Games, primarily standouts in figure skating, as part of its commitment to the Olympic Council of Asia’s activities. Hontiveros said this is only the second time for Phl to participate in the 45-nation, quadrennial meet.