Phl skaters vow to deliver precious medals

Skateboarding in the Philippines vaulted into prominence after Margielyn Didal captured a gold medal in the 2018 Asian Games.

Didal’s brilliance will certainly rub off on the rest of the national skaters as they seek to rule skateboarding competitions in the coming 30th Southeast Asian Games on Nov. 30-Dec. 11.

Skateboarding chief Monty Mendigoria won’t count the number of medals that they can probably seize in the discipline yet, but is certain that the team will be pumped up in front of the hometown crowd during the meet to be held in Tagaytay City.

“Malaki ang chance natin, lalo na we are considered as a powerhouse in Southeast Asia,’’ said Mendigoria, president of the Skateboarding and Roller Sports Association of the Philippines (SRSAP), the local governing body in the sport.

“But of course we have to work really hard lalo na sa mga ensayo,’’ added Mendigoria.

Eight golds are at stake in skateboarding’s street event, game of skate and downhill events for men’s and women’s categories.

Aside from Didal, the sport will display fresh local and international talents that will surely play their hearts out for a successful SEA Games campaign.

Filipino-Americans Christiana Means and Jericho “Kiko” Francisco will join Didal in donning the national colors along with eight other skaters.

Mendigoria, however, would keep the final list of Filipino skaters confidential until the deadline of submission of names to the SEA Games Federation.

“I don’t want to give any details for now kasi baka masilip tayo ng mga kalaban. But definitely, kumpleto na ang line-up natin,’’ said Mendigoria.

“We have 11 athletes who will compete, including Margie, of course. Kapag okay na ‘yung line-up ng ibang countries, we will disclose the line-up for our team,” said Mendigoria.