Philippine Skating Union President Nikki Cheng has high hopes for the Philippines’ contingent in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games.
The Philippine Skating Union expressed optimism on Team Philippines’ chances in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, sending 12 representatives to compete in speed skating and figure skating.
Wrapping up the Philippine National Figure Skating Championships at the SM Mall of Asia over the weekend, PSU President Nikki Cheng had a lot of good things to say about the team that will see action in Thailand next month.
“For me, as long as they perform how they performed today, they are in the running for a podium finish and even a gold medal,” she said in an interview with media.
“If we see the performance of SEA countries in the recent Asian Winter Games earlier this year, the Philippines actually ranked the highest. So, I hope that they perform clean programs and for sure, we are going to have a podium finish,” she added.
The Philippines is sending over four figure skaters and eight speed skaters, with the team bannered by gold medalists at the National Championships, Maxine Bautista and Paolo Borromeo.
Also representing the Philippines in Thailand are Cathryn Limketkai and Branzon Baldoz in figure skating.
Philippines on the rise
As the Philippines continues to build for its future in winter sports, the PSU believes that there are only good things to come for the Philippine skaters.
With the most recent National Championships showing off the Philippines’ best, Cheng said that there is noted improvement among skaters, especially those who are born and raised in Manila, as they also bid for higher goals like the Winter Olympics.
“For me, I feel very proud when I see our skaters perform now because we see the improvement. And even our judges, our panelists, they also tell us how far Philippine skating has come,” said Cheng.
“They also see what the skaters were like last year and then how they're performing this year. And we have been getting praises from how well the skaters have improved. So, I think these are all very good indications of where we are going as a sport, as a country,” she continued.
Apart from figure skating and speed skating, ice hockey will also be played at the 2025 SEA Games which unfurls with the opening ceremonies on December 9.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.