We decided to defer the announcement because we realized that Carlos Yulo has a game the following day.

Carlos Yulo is tipped to miss the SEA Games opening ceremonies. DAVID JOHN CUBANGBANG

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) executive council deferred the appointment of the country’s flag bearer in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

POC chairman Steve Hontiveros yesterday said they would confer with various national sports associations (NSA) first before formally naming the flag bearer in the prestigious biennial meet set to open on 30 November at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Initially, Hidilyn Diaz of weightlifting, EJ Obiena of athletics, Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Felix Marcial of boxing, Margielyn Didal of skateboarding and Kiyomi Watanabe of judo were floated to serve as flag bearers in the 11-nation conclave.

Carlos Yulo would also join them in the opening festivities as he was chosen to light up the cauldron that signifies the formal opening of the Games.

But in the POC executive council meeting yesterday, the idea was shot down as the POC wanted to confer with the local federations of gymnastics, athletics, boxing, weightlifting, skateboarding and judo first before coming up with the announcement.

The, POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino will sit down with Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez to discuss their final decision.

“We decided to defer the announcement because we realized that Carlos Yulo has a game the following day,” said Hontiveros, adding that it was no less than gymnastics chief Cynthia Carrion who told them about Yulo’s competition schedule.

“These are all elite athletes. Our gold medal chances rest on them. We don’t want them to get too tired from the parade so we realized that we have to first check their respective schedules before coming up with the appointment.”

POC board member Robert Mananquil, the secretary general of billiards and snookers, said the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee also reached out to inquire about the availability of pool legend Efren “Bata” Reyes to carry the SEA Games Federation Council flag during the opening festivities.

But at 65 years old, Mananquil doubts if Reyes still has the energy to overcome long hours of standing and waiting for his turn to carry the flag.

“We were being asked if Bata would be available,” said Mananquil, whose ward will act as head coach of the nationals squad together with fellow pool great Francisco “Django” Bustamante while joining Francisco de la Cruz in men’s carom event.

“But I doubt if he can make it. Remember, he’s already 65 years old. It might be hard for him to stand and wait for his turn to parade. But we would still ask him. Whatever his decision is, we will support.”