TIWALA ang Philippine sepak takraw team sa kanilang tsansa sa darating na 31st Southeast Asian Games sa kabila ng mga dinaanang pagsubok bunsod ng coronavirus pandemic.

Nagpahayag ng kumpiyansa si Pilipinas Sepaktakraw Federation president Karen Tanchanco-Caballero sa kakayahan ng mga atletang Pilipino at iginiit na magigi g tagumpay ang kanilang kampanya sa biennial competition, na nakatakda sa Mayo 12-23 sa Hanoi, Vietnam.

“I do not want to put any pressure on our athletes, who already encountered difficult moments during this pandemic. But I can say right now we have a good chance in two of three men’s events in Hanoi,” paluwanag ni Tanchanco-Caballero sa nakalipas na “Sports On Air” vodcast.

Sa katanungan kung saan mga events na may malaking bentahe ang mga Pilipino, tinukoy ni Tanchanco-Caballero ang men’s doubles and quads.

“I say doubles and quads. Maganda yung fighting chance natin dahil nag-world champions na tayo sa men’s doubles and we’re sending the same veterans,” pahayag ni Tanchanco sa five-man panelist na binubuo ng mga beteranong sports journalists.

“Out of eight events in the men’s division, we’re allowed to join in three events. Sabi nga, ayoko nang dagdagan pa ang pressure sa mga atleta. But I’m very confident in two events. Ito talaga yun magde-deliver ng medal of significant color sa team natin. But I like gold or silver. Our athletes are working really hard. Hindi naman sila pupunta sa Vietnam para magpa-bugbog lang,” dagdag pa niya.

Tumapos ang Pilipinas sa ika-dalawang pwesto sa likod ng Thailand sa overall medal tally ng sepak takraw nung 2019 SEA Games sa Manila na ginanap sa Subic gymnasium mula Dec. 1-10.

Nakasungkit ang mga Pilipino ng dalawang gold medals sa men’s at women’s hoops bukod pa sa tatlong bronzes sa men’s doubles at men’s at women’s regu.

Samantala, nag-uwi ang Thailand ng tatlong golds.

Ang Indonesia ay may 1-1-1 gold-silver-bronze, ang Malaysia ay may 0-2-1 habang ang Myanmar at 2022 host Vietnam ay kapwa may 0-1-2.

May halong lungkot din na inanunsyo ni Tanchanco-Caballero na ang women’s ay hindi kasama sa listahan ng Hanoi-bound Filipino delegation.

“Right now, it’s the decision of the NSA. We’re a team player. We agreed with the Philippine Olympic Committee na kung sino lang talaga yun malalakas at ma gold medal potential ang ipadadala sa Hanoi. Hindi practice lang yun SEA Games. That’s the marching order to all of us,” paluwanag ninTanchanco-Caballero.

“While nag-gold medal tayo sa 2019 SEA Games in women’s, medyo manipis yun chances natin ngayon. Vietnam is No. 2 in the world right now sa ladies, and we wouldn’t really want to be wasting government money, lalo na the battle plan of Team Pilipinas right now is to garner as many gold medals as possible.We’re going there to make an attempt to defend our 2019 overall title,” dagdag pa niya.

Inihayag din ni Tanchanco-Caballero ang magandang resulta ng kanilang bubble training sa Bulacan.

“The bubble training, which started last January, helps our athletes prepare physically and mentally. The members of the national team really wanted to be isolated and away to everyone dahil yun ang na-miss nila during the pandemic. They have to be in the zone. They need space. The decision to isolate is not just us, but the coaching staff and our national team. They don’t have the luxury of time for an extended year of training in time for the SEA Games.”

Dagdag pa ni.Tanchanco-Caballero: “I’m just so happy to see them na balik na sila sa competition weight nila. Mentally, I believe they are in a better place now at the Bulacan Sports Complex.

Hindi na kagaya dati na uncertain, na lalaban kami pero walang training. Ngayon alam nila na binigyan sila ng ample opportunities to be on their own and pray what they need to do. I feel we’re right on timing and I hope they’ll peak at the right time for the Hanoi SEA Games.”