SEA GAMES Thais, Viets give Juico the creeps

Thailand and Vietnam loom as host Philippines’ biggest stumbling blocks in its quest to come up with a solid showing in the athletics competitions of the 30th Southeast Asian Games late this year.

“They are all over the place because they have the resources,” said Philippine Track and Field Association chief Philip Ella Juico said yesterday, stressing that Europe has been the playground of choice of the Thais and Vietnamese.

The Filipino tracksters are in deep training as well in line with the PATAFA’s bid to perform credibly before hometown fans during the Nov. 30-Dec. 11 sportsfest.

Athletics will be played at the soon-to-be-completed stadium at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac where Juico is looking forward to hear the national anthem get played no less than six times with Italy-based pole vaulter EJ Obiena leading the charge.

Fil-Am sprinter Kristina Knott is also someone Juico hopes would make heads turn alongside a bevy of homegrown and overseas talent.

Veteran long jumper Marestela Torres is still competing and is aiming for another feather in her cap although her bid to hone her skills may have been derailed by the non-issuance of a Japanese visa to the former Asian champion.

“What more can you ask? She’s a three-time Olympian,” wondered Juico, who is sending

Torres to Malaysia instead.

“The key here in the final months going into the SEA Games is to keep them busy,” said Juico ahead of competitions in Italy and Qatar.