TWENTY Filipino tracksters will fly to Hong Kong Sports Institute to further strengthen up their preparations in the upcoming 29th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Malaysia.
True to its goal of taking home its target of 10 gold medals in the multi-sports events from August 19 to 30, the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association will send the huge delegation in the famed training facility to sharpen the chances of dominating the medal-rich athletics program.
Among the names included in the June 4 to July 15 training are triple jump national record-holder Mark Harry Diones, 800-meter specialist Marco Vilog, SEA Games champion Kayla Richardson, Edgard Alejan, Tyler Ruiz, Clinton Baustista, Trenten Beram and Melvin Calano.
Also joining them are 1,500-meter standout Mervin Guarte, Kenny Gonzales, Anfernee Lopena, Eloiza Luzon, Zion Nelson, Elbren Neri, Katherine Khay Santos, Janry Ubas, Jomar Udtohan, Patrick Unso, Michael del Prado and Francis Medina.
Coaches John Lozada, Danilo Fresnido, George Noel Posadas, Rohsaan Griffin and Patafa Secreaty-General Reynato Unso will be guiding the national team in the 6-week training.
The Patafa organized a 2-phase tryout for national team hopefuls. The first one was done last week while the second and final leg will be on June 4 at the PhilSports track oval in Pasig City.
Amateur standouts were also invited to test their skills and possible land a spot in the national pool.