MAKING up for lost time, Kayod Pilipinas, the moniker of the national squash team, swings back into action with back-to-back international tournaments, kicking off with the 7th Southeast Asian Cup Squash Championships today in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The team, which left over the weekend, is composed of Robert Garcia, Reymark Begornia David Pelino and Meljohn Aribado on the men’s side while Jeymca Aribado, Yvonne Dalia, Lizette Reyes compose the women’s squad. Coach is Jaime Ortua.
“This a good opportunity for our national squash athletes in their long-term preparations for the Hangzhou Asian Games next year,” Philippine Squash Academy and SEA Squash Federation head Robert Bachmann noted.
Bachmann thanked the Philippine Sports Commission under Chairman Noli Eala for supporting the trip, which also includes Kayod Pilipinas’ participation in the Marigold-SEA Jumbo Doubles Championships from Dec. 5 to 7 in neighboring Singapore.
He also cited the PSC for allowing the athletes to train regularly at the newly-built PSA National Training Center inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, adding that “having a permanent home for our national athletes will undoubtedly benefit our future plans for the sport in our country.”
The Pinoy racket wielders have had some success in the SEA Cup Squash tournament, with Begornia capturing the men’s individual gold medal and the national squad takin the bronze in the mixed team event in the fifth edition of the event held in the country in 2019.
Bachmann was guardedly optimistic about the team’s prospects in both competitions, saying: “I have been with them all throughout their training and know how hard they have worked to be prepared for both international events.
“They also know that I expect them to perform at their very best because I hate to lose.”
Begornia, Robert Garcia, David William Pelino and Jemyca Aribado were members of the national squad that captured a breakthrough gold medal in the mixed team event in the 2019 SEA Games Squash Championships held at the Manila Polo Club courts in Makati.
