PHILIPPINE national arnis team members Glennon Jhon Malisa, Jezebel Morcillo and Adelfa Sagne of Davao City are training under Kapatirang Doble Olisi (KDO) chief Mario Palazuelo while their athletes' quarters at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila are still being rehabilitated.
Palazuelo, who guested with the three Philippine National Games 2018 champions at the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum Thursday, July 4, said, "Nag-start na ang training sa Manila (Training of national athletes already started in Manila)."
Sagne, a teacher by profession, said, "Dili mi kaadto kay wala pamiy katulugan ngadto (We can't go there yet since we have nowhere to stay)."
She said they still give their best during training with Palazuelo at his gym.
"So far mga taga NCR pa lang ang naka-training ngadto sa Manila (Only those residing in NCR have started training in Manila)," she added.
Morcillo, who worked with Cebu Pacific, said they are still uncertain if they make the cut for the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on November 30 to December 11 in the country but they will continue training here.
Of the 40 athletes in the national arnis team, only 20 will compete in the Philippines SEA Games.
Malisa, who also won a gold medal in the Palarong Pambansa 2019, thanked Palazuelo for teaching them since while they were beginners.
"Wala ko mag-imagine nga makasulod ko sa Philippine team. Batang Pinoy og Palaro raman to akong ginaapilan para mag represent sa city og sa region (I never imagined making it to the Philippine Team since I only used to compete in the Palarong Pambansa and Batang Pinoy to represent the country and the region)," he said.
Palazuelo, meanwhile, predicted an 85 percent chance for the three arnisadors to make the final 20 cast for the SEA Games.