Filipino skaters are looking to end the winter season with a bang as they compete in the ISU Four Continents Skating Championships from 21 to 25 January in Beijing.

Philippine Skating Union president Nikki Cheng is keeping her fingers crossed, hoping that Paolo Borromeo and Maxine Marie Bautista as as well as Isabella Gamez and Aleksandr Korovin will deliver good performances against the world’s best skaters in this prestigious event that features countries from Africa, Asia, Americas and Oceania.

In the recent 33rd Southeast Asian Games, Borromeo clinched a bronze medal in the men’s singles event while Bautista secured a silver in the distaff side.

“I hope for better performances from Paulo and Maxine because I believe it’s their last competition for the season,” Cheng told DAILY TRIBUNE in a telephone conversation.

“After Four Continents, usually we would look forward to World Championships if someone qualifies. However, based on everyone’s points right now, none of them have qualified for the World Championships so far. Four Continents would possibly be their last competition for the season.”

Borromeo hopes to do better this time after withdrawing from last year’s Four Continents in South Korea.

Gamez and Korovin, meanwhile, are also looking to improve from their 10th-place finish from last year.

On the other hand, Bautista will be making her debut for the Philippines in the Four Continents in the women’s singles.