THE Philippines is bracing for an all-out battle against host Vietnam in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi on May 12-23.

The Wushu Federation of the Philippines, headed by president Freddie Jalasco, believes the 11-member Filipino delegation can get the job done.

“Yes, the Filipinos can (do it again),” said Jalasco when asked about the Filipinos’ chances in the SEA Games during the recent “Sports On Air” program via Zoom.

“We may not win as many gold medals as the seven that we won during the 2019 edition in Manila, but we’ll be there in the thick of the fight,” Jalasco told the six-man panel composed of veteran sports journalists.

Jalasco said the presence of Agatha Wong, a two-time gold medalist in the taijiquan and taijijian events of the women’s taolu in 2019, and Divine Wally, who also bagged the women’s sanda gold, are enough reasons to be optimistic.

“Although hindi pa talaga kami nakapagsisimula ng training as a team, our athletes, like Agatha have prepared individually. So, in my conservative estimate, we can easily get 2-3 gold medals,”explained Jalasco, who replaced Julian Camacho as wushu president last year.

“Bukod kay Agatha, nandyan pa sa team si Divine Wally. Tapos si Clemente Tabugara, Jr., na naka gold din dati sa Manila at si Daniel Parantac, kasama pa din sa team. So, malakas pa din tayo.”

Jalasco, however, admitted host Vietnam will be the top favorites.

“Yun Vietnam, naka three golds, two silvers and seven bronzes sa Manila in 2019. Ngayon as host country, sila naman ang makalalamang. Naglagay nga sila ng dagdag na weight categories.

Ganyan naman talaga kapag host,” explained Jalasco, who also served as president of the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP).

“The lack of training venue with complete facilities is the only thing slowing down the Filipino wushu athletes, according to Jalasco.

“As of now, hindi pa rin kami nakakapag-start ng training kahit naka-billet na ang mga atleta sa bubble training gym sa WFP building sa Rizal Memorial Complex. But were hopeful na makapagsimula na agad sa tulong ng PSC,” explained Jalasco.

“Sa ngayon, we have 15 athletes plus training director Samson Co and the coaches. I had a meeting with them a few weeks back and I told them to stay in good shape and maintain their focus. Sa Hanoi, kailangan ibigay natin lahat ang makakaya kasi nga we’re fighting not for ourselves but for the country,” explained Jalasco.

“Sa WFP, we always go by the three Ds — dedication, determination and discipline. Alam ng mga atleta namin yun.”

The former basketball player-turned- sports leader said WFP is also eagerly awaiting the arrival of a foreign coach to help prepare the athletes.

“We are also waiting for our Chinese coach to arrive. Sana maayos agad ang papers niya kasi very risky sa kanila ang pag-travel. We’re coordinating with the PSC para ma-facilitate ang mga papers niya sa DFA. Hopefully yung Chinese Embassy, matulungan din siya makapunta dito agad.”

Jalasco the first non-Chinese speaking official to head the 32-year-old wushu body, also announced that SEA Games gold medalist Jessie Aligaga will now be a part of the national team.

“Si Jessie nag-retire na, pero malaki ang maitutulong nya ngayong part na sya ng coaching staff natin. Makatutulong yung mahabang experience niya. Nandun siya sa 2019 SEA Games. Kasama ko rin siya sa World Championships sa Iran, na tinalo niya ang China kaya malaki ang tiwala ko sa kanya,” added Jalasco, who also served as vice president and executive director of the wushu federation.

Jalasco is one five officials of leading combat sport associations who graced the weekly sports forum.

The other four officials are Wrestling Association of the Philippines president Alvin Aguilar and Kurash Sports Federation of the Philippines head Rolan Llamas last Feb. 18; and Philippine Judo Federation secretary-general David Carter and Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas secretary-general Wharton Chan. With reports from Gab Ferreras