Villegas, Delos Santos banner 464-strong Filipino bets

Paris Olympics silver medalist Aira Villegas and world champion Albert Ian delos Santos will be at the helm when 464 Filipino athletes make their way to the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Japan for the opening ceremony of the 20th Asian Games on 19 September.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino made the announcement during the send-off ceremony, saying that the two athletes were selected because their competition schedules would not conflict with the festivities.

Aside from Tolentino, also in attendance during the traditional rites last Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum was Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio together with PSC commissioners Walter Torres, Olivia “Bong” Coo, Edward Hayco and Matthew “Fritz” Gaston, POC secretary general Wharton Chan, Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion, Philippine Paralympic Committee president Michael Barredo, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Leyte 4th District representative Richard Gomez.

Tennis star Alex Eala was also considered for the honor, but Tolentino said she needs to focus as she will be competing in the Singapore Tennis Open from 21 to 27 September.

“I actually submitted three names to be our flag bearers. Alex was included but she needed to rest as she would be coming from Singapore,” Tolentino said.

“Albert Ian is chosen since he has already broken multiple world records and Aira is our Olympian who will be the other flag bearer.”

Neither Villegas nor Delos Santos were present during the announcement as they were already deep into their preparations for the biggest and most prestigious multi-sport event in Asia.

Delos Santos is training in Jalajala, Rizal with Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and her coach Julius Naranjo, while Villegas is already in Japan alongside fellow boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam.

The Philippine delegation is targeting more than the four gold medals it won in the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. To help the athletes prepare for the continental showcase, Gregorio added P6,000 to their allowances and promised an additional bonus if they win at least five gold medals.

“As long as the athletes win more than four golds, I will personally ask the commissioners an additional bonus for the entire delegation. President Bambol has been telling that it is possible,” Gregorio said, although he did not disclose the amount.

“We can do it. I have been asked how many golds and who will be the winners. I would tell them everybody has a shot at the gold because this is an elite group.”

The Philippines has several strong medal contenders, led by brothers Carlos and Eldrew Yulo in men’s artistic gymnastics.