ASIAD BOUND. A file photo of top Filipino squash player Robert Andrew Garcia taken during the 2019 SEA Games in Manila. Garcia will lead the Philippine team in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Six members of the Philippine squash team will train at the Hong Kong Sports Institute as part of their preparation for the upcoming Asian Games.
Reymark Begornia, David William Peliño, Jonathan Reyes and Yvonne Alyssa Dalida were scheduled to leave on Tuesday night, while Robert Andrew Garcia and Jemyca Aribado will be joining them next week.
Garcia and Aribado, the country's top players, are currently in Seremban, Malaysia for the Tuanku Muhriz Trophy tournament which will start on Wednesday.
Garcia, ranked No. 176 in the world, will face Noor Zaman of Pakistan in the first round, while Aribado will be up against Menna Walid of Egypt.
Philippine Squash Academy Inc. president Robert Bachmann said the training in Hong Kong's world-class facility would benefit the Filipinos who are hopeful of performing well at the Asiad which will take place from Sept. 23 to Oct. 8 in Hangzhou, China.
At the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, Hong Kong topped the medal tally board with two golds and two silvers.
Malaysia, bannered by nine-time Asian champion Nicol Ann David, placed second with two golds, one silver and two bronzes followed by India (0-1-4). Japan and Pakistan were tied for fourth with one bronze each.
According to a South China Morning Post report last Aug. 5, Hong Kong will send eight players to Hangzhou.
Among the players is Ho Tze-lok, a member of the gold medal-winning women's team in 2018. Hong Kong's other gold medal came from Leo Au in the men's singles event where he defeated compatriot Max Lee in the final.
The team of Au, Lee, Henry Leung and Yip Tsz Fung settled for the silver medal after losing to Malaysia, which is composed of Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan, Mohd Syafiq Kamal, Ng Eain Yow and Ivan Yuen. (PNA)
