Philippines sambo bets ready to defend turf

MANILA, Philippines — Given the hometown edge, the 21-member Pilipinas team is now “85 percent ready” and aims to excel in the 11th Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships presented by the Philippine Sports Commission from June 23 to 28 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

“All 21 members of the Pilipinas sambo team are now 85 percent ready with the tournament less than a month away. They all aim to excel and do the country proud,” said Pilipinas sambo national coach Arce Larida in yesterday’s PSA Forum at the PSC Media Center.

Joining him in the program was Pilipinas Sambo Federation president Paolo Tancontian, who revealed that more than 600 grapplers from 20 to 35 countries from all over Asia and Oceania will compete in the grand sambo showcase.

“We were expecting only about 500 athletes, but even now we are more than 400 already and more are still registering. We could wind up with over 500 entries from 31 countries if this trend continues,” said Tancontian.

He said drawing this huge field was also in keeping with PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio’s advocacy in promoting sports tourism.

Larida noted among the top prospects in the meet is Aislinn Yap, ranked No. 1 in the world.