SINAMAHAN ni Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) president Ed Andaya (ikalawa mula sa kanan) sina (mula kaliwa) Muaythai Association of the Philippines (MAP) secretary-general Pearl Managuelod, two-time Southeast Asian Tour darts champion Lovely Mae Orbeta at four-time Southeast Asian Games boxing champion Josie Gabuco sa ginanap na TOPS Usapang Sports forum nitong Huwebes sa National Press Club sa Intramuros, Maynila.
MAKAKUHA ng apat na ginto ang target ng Muaythai Association of the Philippines (MAP) sa hangarin nitong makapag-ambag sa tagumpay ng Pilipinas sa gaganaping 30th Southeast Asian Games sa bansa.
At para maisakatuparan ang kanilang minimithi, iniisip na ng MAP ang “winning at least four of the nine gold medals” sa biennial competition na nakatakdang ganapin sa Nobyembre 30 to Disyembre 11.
“There’s no doubt we will do well (in the SEA Games). Walang duda dyan na kaya natin,” sabi ni MAP secretary-general Pearl Managuelod sa ika-35 edisyon ng Usapang Sports forum na hatid ng Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) nitong Huwebes ng umaga sa National Press Club sa Intramuros, Maynila.
“Sigurado ako we will have medals in all nine events in the SEA Games, pero sa gold hindi ko masasabi,” sabi pa ni Managuelod, na pansamantalang namahinga sa pag-aaral ng Sports Psychology sa University of Ottawa sa Canada.
Hindi pinangalanan ni Managuelod ang pangalan ng mga muaythai athletes na sinasabing maghahatid ng gintong medalya para sa bansa.
“Baka ma-scout tayo ng mga kalaban,” ani Managuelod.
Kumpiyansa rin si Managuelod sa kinabukasan ng muaythai sa Pilipinas sa ilalim ng liderato ng kanyang ama na si ret. Gen. Lucas Managuelod.
Inamin din nito ang naging masigasig at malakas na programa ng muaythai simula nang tutukan nila ito noong 2014.
“We are very strong, very aggressive in our grassroots development program. May regional championships, may national championships kami. ‘Yun mga chapters namin around the country are also very active on their own,” pagmamalaki ni Managuelod sa lingguhang sports forum na suportado ng Philippine Sports Commission, National Press Club, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Community Basketball Association at HG Guyabano Tea Leaf Drinks.
“Marami kaming nire-recruit for our national team. In fact, we have 12 new athletes in our developmental team this year. Very strong ang muaythai team ngayon. Talagang hahasain namin sila. Very soon we will see the results,” dagdag pa ni Managuelod.
Inamin din ni Managuelod na hindi nakapagbigay ng magandang performance ang koponan noong 2017 SEA Games sa Malaysia.
“In the 2017 SEA Games in Malaysia, there were only five events and we were able to get only one bronze medal. But in other international events, we always won medals,” sabi ni Managuelod.
Dumalo rin sa nasabing sports forum na ipinapalabas ng live sa Facebook via Glitter Livestream sina four-time SEA Games boxing champion Josie Gabuco at two-time Southeast Asian Tour darts champion Lovely Mae Orbeta.