Ernest John Obiena, who is one of two Filipino athletes who made it to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, leads a 72-member cast that made it to the long list of the national athletics’ team to the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Obiena’s name was submitted for his feat early this year, when he set a new Philippine record at 5.81 meters set last September 3 in Chiarri, Italy.
His showing in Chiarri earned Obiena the first Tokyo Olympic berth for the Philippines.
Obiena’s stint in the SEA Games will be part of his preparations for the Olympics.
Also listed are Philippine bets Kristina Knott and Zion Corrales-Nelson as strong contenders to unseat Vietnamese champion Le Thunh Chinh, who will defend both the 100-meter and 200-meter dash crowns.
Knott, who is preparing in the United States, has a noticeable time of 11.42 seconds during the Asian Grand Prix’s 100-meter event, and a 23.62-second best time in the Philippine National Open.
Corrales-Nelson has recently clocked a good time of 11.41 seconds in a US NCAA meets early this year.
Joining them in the men’s division are sprinters Eric Cray and Anfernee Lopena in the 100-meter dash, along with Michael del Prado and Jayme Sequito (400-meters), Carter Lilly and Marco Vilog(800-m), Mariano Masano and Said Guermali (1500-m), Clinto Bautista and Alvin Vergel (100-meter hurdles), Eric Cray and Francis Medina (400-m hurdles).
In the 100-meter relays are Cray, Bautista, Yuher Go, Jomar Udtohan and Vince Buhayan, while Sequito is in the 400-meter relays with Del Prado, Udtohan, Edgardo Alejan, Frederick Ramirez and Reymond Alferos.
In the women’s division are Kayla Richardson (400-m), Marisol Amargo (800-m), Melissa Escoton and Jely Paraguile (100-m hurdles), along with Robyn Brown, Bernalyn Bejoy(400-m hurdles), Joida Gagnao (3000-meter steeplechase).
The team of Nelson, Knott, Kayla and Kyla Richardson are in the 100-meter relay team, with Eloisa Luzon and Escoton.
Jessel Lumapas and Maureen Schrijvers are part of the 400-meter relays squad.
Then, there’s female pole vaulter Alyanna Nicolas and Natalie Uy.
The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association will evaluate the composition of the national team following a test event, which will be held on Oct. 26 and 27 at the New Clark City track stadium in Capas, Tarlac. Peter Atencio