Filipino cagers hope gold medal will earn them new wheelchairs
THE Philippines’ men’s wheelchair basketball want to win the Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games gold medal so badly.
No, it’s not for monetary rewards. Rather, they hope to be rewarded with new wheelchairs.
Head coach Vernon Perea said that only a gold medal would help them get more funds before they host the 2019 Asean Para Games in Manila.
“We badly need new wheelchairs. The only way to persuade the federation back home to give us our new set of wheels is by winning the gold medal,” said Vernon while watching his men training at the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MiTEC) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The Filipinos could only manage a bronze at the last two Games in Naypyidaw (2013) and Singapore (2015).
“The Philippines is well known for basketball, but not wheelchair basketball,” said Vernon.
“Aside from skills, we need good equipment too. The problem is that we are still using wheelchairs more than 10 years old. This makes it difficult for our players.
“Our wheelchairs are heavy and weigh about 20kg. Those used by most of the other teams weigh about 10kg only. This makes a lot of difference.
“It’s harder to control the heavier ones when we’re on a ‘run’ and my players often fall off their wheelchairs.
“Our opponents, who use the lighter wheelchairs, also normally ‘outrun’ us. It will be tough but the players want to prove a point this time.
“We have a good team but with better wheelchairs we can give the favourites – Thailand and Malaysia – a run for their money.
“With lighter wheelchairs, we can play 40 minutes without any substitutions. But we are forced to change due to our wheelchair problems.”
Vernon used to coach amateur and professional basketball teams back home before turning to training para athletes.
“Coaching para athletes is very fulfilling,” he said of his decision to switch to coaching wheelchair basketball.