PHL archers to compete in Thailand

The Philippines is sending a 16-member archery team to the prestigious Asia Cup slated to be held in Thailand on March 19-26. (Photo: Luis Gabriel Moreno/ Facebook)

MANILA–The Philippines is sending a 16-member archery team to the prestigious Asia Cup slated to be held in Thailand on March 19-26.

The tournament, which gathers the best archers in the Asian region, will be held at the Hua Mark Sports Complex in Bangkok.

Florante Matan, Allen Andrei Raquipo, Luis Gabriel Moreno, Syd Nerickzon Franginal, Kareel Meer Hongitan, Nicole Marie Tagle, Mary Queen Ybanez and Pia Elizabeth Bidaure compose the recurve team; while Paul Marton dela Cruz, Joseph Vicencio, Joseph Bhernie Bague, Jennifer Dy Chan, Amaya Amparo Cojuangco, Andrea Robles, Niron Brylle Concepcion and Rachelle Anne dela Cruz comprise the compound team.

National coaches Clint Sayo, Joy Marino and Marvin Cordero will accompany the players.

According to Dondon Sombrio, secretary general of the World Archery Philippines, the Thailand-bound team also pocketed six golds, four silvers and two bronzes in the 6th Southeast Asian Championships in Myanmar last January.

The players, who also performed well during the National Open and Philippine Cup held in Cebu City, are using the Asia Cup as tune-up for the Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia in August.

The archery association is also planning to send the team to the World Cups in Shanghai and Turkey, and a training camp in the United States.