November 20, 2025 | 6:12pm
MANILA, Philippines — Naniniwala ang Philippine Aquatics Inc. (PAI) na hahakot ng medalya ang national swimming team sa darating na 33nd Southeast Asian Games sa Bangkok Swimming Center sa Thailand.
Gigiyahan ni Olympic Games medalist Fil-Canadian Kyla Sanchez ang tropa sa swimming event na nakatakda sa Disyembre 9 hanggang 22.
“We formed a competitive young team. Our athletes are the best among our elite pool. They have gone through a tough National tryout and they are all capable of winning medals since we used the bronze medal time of the last SEAG edition as standard qualifying time,” ani PAI Secretary General Eric Buhain kahapon sa Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS) ‘Usapang Sports’ sa PSC Conference Room.
Kumpiyansa si Buhain na makakamit ng tropa ang hangad na apat na gold medals sa Thailand SEA Games.
“Target natin at least four gold medals. But whatever the colors, I’m sure may magiging ambag ang aquatics sa kampanyang ng Philippine delegation sa SEA Games,” wika ni Buhain sa lingguhang programa na itinataguyod ng Philippine Sports Commission, Behrouz Persian Cuisine, Pocari Sweat at Lila Healthy Premium Coffee.
Humakot lamang ng dalawang golds ang bansa sa Cambodia SEA Games noong 2023 na nagmula kina Xiandi Chua (200m backstroke) at Tei Salvino (100m backstroke) bukod sa anim na silver at pitong bronzes.
“Kyla (Sanchez) and Logan (Eataru) are in deep training in Canada. Both Xiandi (Chua) and Chloe (Isleta) trained in Australia, while others are in the US like Miranda Renner, Joran Paul Orogon, Gian Santos and Heather White who also debuted as member of Duke University in the US NCAA,” dagdag ni Buhain.
Nakatuon din ang pansin sa mga homegrown na sina UAAP Most Valuable Player Quendy Fernandez ng Palawan, dating junior champion Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh at ang 15-anyos na si Kyla Louise Bulaga mula sa Ilocos Sur.
Isasabak din sa SEAG sina divers Rose Ann Ocmer at Janat Mary Rodrigiez, gayundin ang 28-member water polo team (babae at lalaki) at sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon apat na swimmers para sa open water event na sina Jada Corrine Cruz, Graziella Sophia Ato, Alexander Lawrence Chua at Joshua Raphael Del Rio.
“Sa artistic swimming lang tayo walang entry, hopefully next SEA Games makabuo na rin tayo dyan ng team,” sambit ni Buhain.
Pinasalamatan ni Buhain ang lahat ng regional directors ng PAI na siyang masinsin na nagsagawa at nagpatupad ng grassroots sports development program, gayundin sa suporta ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Speedo at pagtataguyod ng MVP Sports Foundation.