PH archers target 6 medals in Asia Cup Stage 2

TOP ARCHERS. The Philippine Archery team to the World Archery Philippines (WAP) competition composed of (standing L-R) Jonathan Deaport, Nicole Marie Tagle, Jennifer Chan, Earl Yap, Paul Manton Dela Cruz, Joseph Vicencio, (seated L-R) coach Clint Sayo, WAP treasurer JP Orberta, secretary general Rosendo Sombrio and coach Purita Joy Marino at the Orchid Garden Hotel on Wednesday (April 4, 2018). The country will host the Asia Cup Stage 2 from April 6 to 12 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex baseball field. (PNA photo by Jess Escaros)

MANILA — The Philippines hopes to win at least six medals in the 2018 Asia Cup Stage 2 which will be held from April 6 to 11 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex baseball field.

According to World Archery Philippines (WAP) secretary general Rosendo Sombrio, the Filipinos are medal contenders in the team and mixed team divisions in both recurve and compound events.

“Our realistic goal is to win six to eight medals. The Asia Cup is a tough competition. We expect a strong challenge, especially from lndia, Malaysia and Thailand which are using the tournament as tune-up for the Asian Games,” said Sombrio during Wednesday’s press conference at the Orchid Garden Hotel in Malate, Manila.

Other countries participating are Australia, China, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Mongolia, New Zealand and Qatar.

A total of 113 archers are joining the Manila leg of the Asia Cup, which is world-ranking tournament.

The first leg was held in Bangkok, Thailand (March 2-9) while the third leg will be hosted by Chinese Taipei from July 9-12.

The members of the Philippine team are Flor Matan, Gabriel Moreno, Mark Javier and Jonathan Reaport (recurve men); and Kareel Hongitan, Nicole Tagle, Pia Bidaure and Ferimi Bajado (recurve women); Earl Benjamin Yap, Paul Marton Dela Cruz, Joseph Vicencio and Dran Barbin (compound men) and Amaya Paz, Jennifer Chan, Andrea Robles and Rachell Dela Cruz (compound women).

Tagle, who will compete in the Youth Olympic Games in October, said everyone in the Philippine team has the potential to win a medal.

When asked to comment if the Filipinos feel the pressure to deliver the gold medals, Yap, a three-time Asian Grand Prix veteran, replied: “There is pressure but we don’t let it bother us.”

Paul Marton Dela Cruz, a bronze medalist in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, for his part, said “I focus more on training and not so much on winning. I just do my best.”

WAP treasurer JP Orbeta, who also attended the press conference, said he is looking forward to a successful hosting of the Asia Cup.

“We’re happy to be chosen as host of the Asia Cup. We’re hoping that we will be able to host successfully so it will become a regular tournament in our calendar,” said Orbeta