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Friday, July 15, 2005
Oro's hopefuls in 2005 SEA Games
By Lynde Salgados
LOST in the den of political turmoil that swept across the country is the fact that Cagayan de Oro--where Comelec commissioner Virgilio Garcillano in the controversial "Gloriagate tapes" c0me from--has two strong sports beaters in the coming South East Asian Games.
Almost four months away from completing their whole year-round training program, the karatedo pair of Jose Marie Pabillore and Maria Marna Pabillore showed readiness to hoist the Philippine flag in the biennial meet the country itself is hosting this year in November.
"They're (Joey and Marna) now ready to rumble and we're all positively looking forward to the karatedo SEA Games competition that will be held in Cebu city," declared Victoria "Kakay" Pabillore, their trusted kin and mentor, in a morning practice session here Thursday at the family-owned Youth Development Thru Karatedo Association (YDKA) gym in Barangay Carmen.
Now at a ripe age of 27, Joey expressed determination to win the gold in his category weight (+75 kgs) after losing it to Indonesia in the last competition in Busan, South Korea. He was gold medallist during his first try in 2001 in Myanmar, Vietnam.
"This year's atmosphere will be completely different because we'll be competing before the home crowd. The feeling is good and the motivation to practice hard at the gym is always there. Gusto gyod nako nga makuha og balik ang gold," Joey told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.
Only 24 years old, Marna looked hungrier, however, in as far as knocking off the gold medal in the tough -53-kg. women's rivalry is concerned.
Like Joey, Marna also ended up with a silver in Busan and the more her craving to topple the great opposition from Indonesia increases.
"Siyempre, mas hungry ko nga maka-gold kay wala pa nako na ma-accomplish sa last two SEA Games editions. Mas pursigido `ta karon kay ato ang homecourt," Marna said. Her speed and footwork has dramatically improved and she did not hesitate to attribute it to football that she loves next to martial arts.
"Football sport is a big help in improving my footwork and that's a blessing that I also has the passion to play it when I'm not competing on the mat floor," she revealed.
Other than the vaunted Pabillores, Tagoloan--otherwise known as the hometown of Cagayan de Oro city mayor Vicente Y. Emano--has also a true-blue son in Bern Chu who will be entered by the RP karatedo team in +55-kg. of the men's kumite event.
(July 15, 2005 issue)
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