Ernest John Obiena and Eric Cray banner the Philippine track and field squad that is looking to win nine gold medals in the 29th Southeast Asian Games set to open this Saturday at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. “I’m really determined to get that (gold) medal which got away from me in Singapore,” said the 21-year old Engineering student at University of Santo Tomas. Posadas added that they are counting on long-distance runners Mary Joy Tabal and Jeson Agravante to deliver in the men’s and women’s mara-thon events. Also tipped to deliver are Harry Diones in men’s triple jump, Trenten Berram in men’s 200-meter run, Christopher Ulboc in steeplechase, Mervin Guarte in men’s 800-meyter run, Janry Ubas in men’s long jump, Aries Toledo in decathlon and Edgardo Alejan in men’s 400-meter run. “We are hoping to match or surpass our medal harvest in the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore,” he said, adding that overcoming their five-gold medal performance in the previous SEA Games is very doable.

Source: Manila Times August 17, 2017 14:03 UTC