By Myris Lee
The 12-member Philippine kickboxing team went ahead of the other teams to Hanoi, Vietnam for the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
Mixed martial artists Honorio Banario banners the squad, along with defending champions Jean Claude Saclag (men’s 63.5 kilogram lowkick) and Gina Iniong (women’s 60kg lowkick).
Iniong will also compete in the women’s Vovinam with 2019 SEA Games silver medalists Jenelyn Olsim and Zephanua Ngaya, while Danny Kingan, Carlo Buminaang, and Renato Cha Jr. will represent the country in the men’s Vovinam.
Jomar Balangui and Renalyn Dacquiel aim to improve their silver-medal finish during the 2019’s edition of the biennial meet.
The PH trained for three months in La Trinidad, Benguel.
Meanwhile, the men’s beach handball team headed by Head Coach Jana Franquelli will aim to level up their podium finish behind Vietnam and Thailand three years ago in the Manila SEA Games from May 6-11, 2022.
The PH national rowing team is set to fly to Hanoi on Friday while the other SEA Games-bound teams are scheduled to depart next week. – gb
