BAGUIO City athletes with disabilities are locking their eyes for another outstanding stint as they officially open their bid in the 2016 Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled (Philspada)-National Finals which officially kicked off at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

A total of 20 PWDs will banner the Summer Capital banner in the annual national sports race backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee-Philippine Sports Commission Philippines Sports Association for the Differently Abled.

City sports development officer Gaudencio Gonzales said the city’s delegation is seeking to improve the medal haul despite the city’s smaller number of entries during the five-day competition slated March 29 until April 2.

Bannering the city are Jerome Bantog, Leo Bareng, Allan Campos, William Chadler, Richard Fidello, Carlos Gamboc, Rollie Gregorio, Jasper Guindangan, Rufino Humilan, Agustin Kitan, Jackson Limayog, Jaime Mangiga, Giovanni Ola, Daniel Padilan, Dante Sagyaman, Abraham Sakiwat, and Romeo Tayawa.

Agustina Bantiloc and Manuela Guimpac will lead the charge in the distaff side.

Delegates from the city will participate in athletics, power lifting, chess, and tenpin bowling.

Gonzales said the city is optimistic the Baguio PWD athletes will continue their good performance aiming to surpass the 12 gold, seven, silver, and one bronze medal during the 2014 edition of PhilSpada.

During the Philspada-Luzon Qualifiers held July last year, the Summer Capital bagged 9-1-3 gold-silver-bronze finish coming from the athletics event.

“We hope to draw gold medals from the athletics competition and the other individual sports,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales added the city dropped its plan to participate in the team competitions due to lack of PWD athletes.

The 2016 Philspada National Finals will be act as the selection pool for the 9th edition of the Asean ParaGames scheduled later next year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (MVP)