PH sepak takraw bets told to deliver medal in Asian Games

Asian Games-bound Philippine Sepak Takraw teams. –PILIPINAS SEPAKTAKRAW PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine sepak takraw team has been given a simple challenge ahead of the 20th Asian Games: Come home with a medal or give way to the next batch of players.

PSTAI president Karen Tanchanco-Caballero disclosed the agreement she had with members of the national team pending their departure for the Sept. 19 to Oct. 3 showcase.

“I’d like to share that there is already a courtesy resignation on all athletes if they do not come home with a medal,” Caballero revealed in Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Philippine Sports Commission media room.

“Ready sila. Handa rin sila because they have to give way din. I mean we have given them all the support they needed for so many years. So it’s only fair for the Filipino taxpayers who pay for their allowances and support. So kumbaga, we only expect the best performance from our athletes and coaches.”

Caballero said she is confident the team can meet the challenge after its recent performance at the ISTAF World Sepaktakraw Championship-39th Thai King’s Cup in Bangkok. The Philippine men’s regu team won a historic silver medal, while the women’s quadrant team took bronze.

The Philippines also ended a 33-year podium drought in sepak takraw at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, winning bronze medals in the men’s regu and men’s quadrant.

With the team having undergone extensive training ahead of the Asian Games, Caballero believes the players are ready to face the top teams in the region.

“They are ready. They have extensively prepared for this, and I’m confident naman sa preparations ng ating coaching team,” said the PSTAI chief.

“It’s the same challenge presented to them by the NSA during the Kings’ Cup. They come home with no medal, no one’s going to the Asian Games. Simply because if you can’t beat anybody in the World Cup, wala rin kayong tatalunin sa Asiad. We are not going to be tourists when we go to Japan. So we mean business.”

Jom Lerry Rafael, who was part of the Philippine teams that won silver in the King’s Cup and bronze in Hangzhou, will lead the men’s campaign alongside Jason Huerte, Reynaldo Asilum, Ronsited Gabayeron and Glindel Phori.

The women’s team includes Mary Ann Lopez, Kristine Lapsit, Rachelle Palomar, Nieva Jane Salon, Heart Makiling and Rhea Mae Dela Cruz, among others.

The men’s regu team is grouped with Thailand and host Japan, while the women’s quadrant team will face Vietnam, Thailand and India.

“So bugbugan na tayo kaagad,” Caballero said.