PH athletes in SEA Games down to 840

The Philippine team to the Southeast Asian Games has been reduced in number in terms of the participating athletes.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino confirmed on Monday that the Filipino athletes going to Phnom Penh for the biennial meet are now down to 840.

“From the previously announced 905, it was reduced to 840,” Tolentino said right after the SEA Games torch rally here, adding that this will be the final count.

He said various reasons behind the reduction of numbers like typographical errors, for example, dual entry and wrong entry.

Tolentino, however, said the

POC also had to let go of some reserve athletes and those who cannot make it to the Cambodian capital as their passports have already expired and their renewal process might not make it in time.

Having to let go of such athletes could possibly hamper the Philippine team’s bid to match or even go higher than its fourth-place finish in the overall standings during last year’s edition in Hanoi, the first time the SEA Games were held in an

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

Why would coach Tim wish to meet Meralco in the Govs Cup finals instead of TNT?

Our well-loved Gins coach said so in an interview.

Well, if you are a well-informed PBA fanatic, you’ll surely say: “Takot si coach Tim kay Rondae Hollis Jefferson.”

The TNT import has become a much feared opponent in the current conference even if he somewhat failed fans’ expectations in Game 2 where Tropang Giga lost to Meralco.

But RHF bounced back in a much more impressive (and herculean) manner by pouring in 40 points and securing 13 rebounds, resulting in a lopsided 99-80 Game 3 victory for TNT. even-numbered year due to a one-year postponement caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

In so many words, the twotime Grand Slam winning mentor said battling Meralco would bring back cherished memories of their gutsy down-the-wire duels in the not-so-recent past. Just to be simply straight-forward, perhaps Cone does not relish losing (just in case) to TNT whose current coach (Jojo Latimosa) was a previous player and mere understudy at Alaska for many years.

“That’s the big challenge: how can we attain the fourth-place standing or better than that?” Tolentino said.

Despite losing some slots, it is still considered a blessing as the POC was initially targeting only around 600 athletes going to Phnom Penh.

“Medyo mahirap, but dahil

IS CONE SCARED OF RHJ?

Imagine, the winningest PBA mentor losing to a neophyte head coach? Ouch!

And this is very possible.

Imagine, if you have the most prolific import (and most probably be hailed as best import) in Jefferson, a hotshooting Fil-Am Mikey Williams who is deemed a second import the way he is playing, and a consistent sniper in RR Pogoy.

These is the most feared trio in the PBA today, if you ask me.

TNT has reliable veterans in Jayson Castro who, despite years and the injuries, has not lost his touch; Poy Erram, Glenn Khobuntin, Justin Chua, Kit Montalbo, Ganuelas Rosser, Varilla and former NCAA MVP Calvin Oftana. sa fighting spirit ng atleta natin at saka nadagdagan (It’s somehow tough, but because of our athletes’ fighting spirit and the increase in number) from 600 to 800, we might [still finish in fourth],” Tolentino said.

I think sports fans nationwide are expecting to be treated to a first class basketball match up if Brgy. Ginebra gets to face TNT in the best of seven title series.

Against the MVP franchise, Cone can bring out the best in his men whose triumphant comeback win against SMB was a testimony to the Gins’ neversay-die attitude.

The POC earlier said 257 sports officials and coaches would join the Philippine team.

The SEA Games will formally begin on May 5, but some events will start as early as April 29.

(PNA)

They were down by 18 but JB, Scottie Thompson,Jeremiah Gray and the omni-present C-Standhardinger kept pounding on.

With patient diligence, the Gins proved they were far superior and imposed their will 8785 to clinch a sweep ot its semifinal faceoff with the Beermen.

Maybe Cone is not scared but he recognizes that TNT is not a pushover.

Because RHJ is some guy not to be taken for granted. (Emailed feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!