• Danceport

Expect dancesport to turn into a gold mine when the country competes in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Dancesport Council of the Philippines president Becky Garcia said their goal is to sweep all 13 events in a bid to help Team Philippines reclaim its glory in the prestigious biennial meet set from 30 November to 11 December.

Garcia said they hired two foreign coaches to help them polish their skills.

Alina Novak of Poland and Alexander Melnikov of Russia were in the country three weeks ago to train Filipino dancers in the Latin and Standard events, respectively.

Nowak is a veteran dancer who won the Adult Latin Division of the World Championship while Melnikov is a seasoned mentor who preaches the ideals of balance, coordination and movement.

Aside from learning at the feet of foreign coaches, the Filipino dancers also trained in Italy last month, where they attended a dance camp.

Garcia said she’s not making any promises, but they are looking for a sweep in the biggest, most prestigious multi-sport tourney in the region.

“I don’t want to predict but if we can go for a sweep, we’ll do it,” said Garcia, whose wards emerged with two gold and two silver medals the last time the country hosted the Games in 2005.

“We had a training camp and we hired foreign coaches. We had a good preparation for the SEA Games and the athletes are ready. We just have to keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.”

Garcia said the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) had been helping them in their preparation.

Although she refused to divulge the extent of the support, she said that it’s already enough to help them in their quest for glory.

“We’re thankful to Pagcor and PSC for supporting our training and preparation,” she said. “They have been very supportive.”

Leading the charge will be Sean Micha Aranar and Ana Leonila in standard and Michael Angelo Marquez and Stephanie Sabalo for Latin.

Cebu-based dancers Wibert Aunzo and Pearl Marie Caneda will also vie in Latin event while Mark Jayson Gayon and Marie Joy Renigen (standard) and Yer Lord Ilyum Gabriel and Alyanna Talam (breakdancing) round up the team.

They will compete in three dance events while the supporting tandem dances in two events in the competition that starts on 30 November in Clark. PR

PHOTO CAPTION ; World champion gymnast Carlos Yulo and boxer Nesthy Petecio are back home on Tuesday night and among the firsts to welcome them are Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez and Gymnastics Association of the Philippines President Cynthia Carrion. With them is Asian champion pole vaulter EJ Obiena, who, like Yulo, has qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

PHOTO CREDIT ; BUSINESSMIRROR