Hinamon ng Pilipinas Sepak Takraw Association, Inc. (PSTAI) ang kanilang mga atleta na mag-uwi ng medalya mula sa 20th Japan Asian Games o magbitiw na sa national team.
Ibinunyag ni PSTAI president Karen Tanchanco-Caballero sa isang media forum ang napagkasunduan nila ng mga miyembro ng national team bago ang kanilang pag-alis patungong Nagoya para sa Asiad na gaganapin Setyembre 19 hanggang Oktubre 3.
“I’d like to share that there is already a courtesy resignation on all athletes if they do not come home with a medal,” pahayag ni Caballero.
“They are ready because they have to give way also. 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. We only expect the best performance from our athletes and coaches.”
Sinabi ni Caballero na kumpiyansa naman siyang maghahatid ng magandang resulta ang koponan, gaya ng ginawa nito sa katatapos na ISTAF (International Sepaktakraw Federation) World Sepak Takraw Championship – 39th Thai King’s Cup sa Bangkok, kung saan nakamit ng men’s regu team (3-on-3) ang makasaysayang silver medal, habang nag-uwi naman ng bronze medal ang women’s quadrant (4-on-4).
Nakamit din ng Pilipinas ang kauna-unahang podium finish nito sa loob ng 33 taon noong 2022 Hangzhou Asiad, nang makakuha ito ng dalawang bronze medal sa men’s regu at men’s quadrant.
Kasabay ng masinsinang pagsasanay na pinagdaanan ng koponan bilang paghahanda sa Asian Games, tiwala si Caballero na maghahatid ng magandang laban ang mga atletang Pilipino.
“They have extensively prepared for this and I’m confident with the preparations of our coaching team,” ani Caballero.
“It’s the same challenge presented to them by the NSA (national sports association) 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, you won’t beat anyone at the Asiad, either. We are not going to be tourists when we go to Japan. So, we mean business,” ani opisyal.
Pangungunahan muli ng matangkad na si Jom Lerry Rafael, na bahagi ng koponang nagwagi ng silver sa World Cup at bronze sa Hangzhou, ang kampanya ng bansa. Makakasama niya sina Jason Huerte, Reynaldo Asilum, Ronsited Gabayeron at Glindel Phori.
Kasama rin nila sina Mary Ann Lopez, Kristine Lapsit, Rachelle Palomar, Nieva Jane Salon, Heart Makiling at Rhea Mae Dela Cruz.
Nasa isang grupo ng men’s regu kasama ang malalakas na koponan ng Thailand at host country na Japan, habang makakasama naman ng women’s quadrant ang Vietnam, Thailand at India.