Davao judokas ready for war in Batang Pinoy 2012

DAVAO City judokas are ready for war when the 2012 Batang Pinoy Games judo competition unfurls on Friday and Saturday at the Marikina Riverbank Activity Center.

The 13-member team, with two coaches at the helm, leaves Wednesday night via Tiger Airways to defend their over-all defending title in the annual Games organized by the Philippine Sports Commission in cooperation with the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Head coach Paolo Tancontian, whose team guested at the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn on Tuesday, said: "Nag-training din kami ng maigi kasi expected na pinaghandaan din kami ng ibang teams. Mas na-pressure kami ngayon dahil kami na ang team to beat pero confident parin kami na madepensahan ang title kasi andito parin ang mga gold medalists natin last year."

Assistant coach Jay Aseneta praised the judokas for their dedication in training the past three months. He also said the athletes, being students, also gave attention to their academics.

Reigning boys' 66 kilogram champion Carl Dave Aseneta of Mats College of Technology had to lose 10 kilos to keep his weight.

"Okay ang training namo kay dili man kaayo lisod. Nag-apas ra gyud ko sa akong timbang ug ang pag-balance sa akong oras kay ga-eskwela sad ko. Nakaya raman sad nako ug apas ang akong timbang ug maayo sad ang dagan sa akong academics (Our training was not really difficult. I just have to catch up with my weight and work on my schedule since I also go to school but I'm glad I've met my weight requirement and my academics is doing well)," Carl Dave said.

Sydney Tancontian, who won the girls -63 kg. gold last year, said she hopes that her training will pay off.

Charisse Divine Aseneta, who will compete in the girls -63 kgs division, said she will try to improve last year's bronze finish while 2011 silver medalist Chino Tancontian will likewise do the same when he competes in the boys' 50 kgs division.

Michael Ocleaza, who is set to make his Batang Pinoy debut in the boys' 42 kgs category, said he's nervous to be competing for the first time. He added in the vernacular, "I'll do my best to bring home the gold."

Neophytes Jay Cris Badiang and Reighney Gaylle Sanchez said they're excited to show their wares in boys' 60 kgs. and girls -57 kgs. events, respectively.

Completing the roster for Davao City are: girls - Jhanen Marcos (40 kgs), Stephanie Calamba (44 kgs) and Jemarie Benito (52 kgs); boys - James Velez (50 kgs), CJ Acla (60 kgs) and Nathaniel Malaki (90 kgs) with Ace Larida as the official referee.

Paolo, meanwhile, said the Philippine Judo Federation will have an induction of officers on October 13 with Tancontian as the newly-elected president for the Davao City chapter.