Thursday, July 05, 2007 Divers now training in China By Marianne Saberon-Abalayan
MEMBERS of the Philippine diving team led by Davao City's Sheila Mae Perez are now training in China under a new coach tasked to help them prepare for the 24th Southeast Asian (Sea) Games set December 6 to 16 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
Former RP diving Chinese coach Zhang Dehu, who mentored the sterling five-gold medal haul in the Philippines 23rd SEA Games in 2005, is no longer with the team.
"We have a new coach for them (divers) in China and we will hire a coach for Philippines from China as well. The sudden retirement of Zhang has left us in a quandary but we must move on," said Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (Pasa) president Mark Joseph in text messages to Sun.Star Davao Wednesday.
Joseph said the country's divers are still expected to live up to their billing.
"Our chances are good," Joseph said.
Perez, 2005 SEA Games triple gold medalist whose family now resides at the Tibungco Relocation site, leads the cast of the RP diving team that is also bannered by fellow Dabawenyos Jaime Asok, Ryan Fabriga, Zardo Domenios and Ni¤o Carog, among others.
Perez' three-meter synchronized springboard partner Ceseil Domenios, however, hadn't been joining recent training at the Trace Aquatics Center in Los Baños, Laguna.
Because of this, there's a possibility that Perez might not be able to defend the gold in the event without Ceseil in Thailand.
When asked about this, Joseph refused to comment.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) William "Butch" Ramirez accompanied the divers and other athletes to China last week.
