DAVAO City's Palarong Pambansa 2018 gold medalist Juliana Marien Villanueva, the new Palaro record holder in secondary girls swimming 800-meter freestyle, is upbeat about playing for Team Philippines in the 10th Asean School Games (ASG) slated to open this weekend in Malaysia.
Villanueva, 14, joins Dabawenyo tankers Eirron Seth Vibar, Fritz Jun Rodriguez and John Martin M. Yarra in the country's swimming team composed mainly of Palaro medalists.
"I feel honored to be able to play in ASG and represent PH," Villanueva said in a Facebook interview Thursday.
She, however, downplayed her chances in the annual meet.
Villanueva added, "I expect there will be a lot of swimmers stronger and faster than me but regardless I would try my best and give it my all."
Former Ateneo de Davao Universty elementary girls swimming standout Zoe Marie Hilario, now with the University of the Philippines Integrated School, is also seeing action.
Swimming competition will start on Sunday at the Darul Ehsan Aquatic Center.
Meanwhile, Holy Child College of Davao basketball player Vince Cuajao, part of the Davao Region secondary boys basketball team that won a silver medal in the Palarong Pambansa 2018 in Ilocos Sur last April, along with Arthur Samuel "Pingkoy" Salvado, Jr. also made it to the PH delegation.