A NATIONAL team will be formed as early as possible and will have a long period of preparation for the 2017 Southeast Asian Games.
Jojo Posadas, who is back as a coach of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association, said this after he formally signed up for a job he last held 10 years ago.
“We will have two years. Maaga ang builup,” said Posadas, who was asked to return last July by Renato Unso, Patafa secretary general.
Posadas, who is the husband and coach of former track ace Elma Muros, are among the four new coaches, who will help the national team. The others are former track and field stars Arniel Ferrera, Rene Herrera and John Lozada.
He said he will be around to help identify new talents for the national pool and get potentials based on their rankings.
For the last 10 years, Posadas dabbled into coaching collegiate athletes and helped Jose Rizal University win five titles in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and with University of the East in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines with his wife.
Among the outstanding talents Posadas discovered and coached were Mercedita Manipol, Fidel Gallenero, Jesson Ramil Cid and Christopher Ulboc, who was a gold medalist in the steeplechase of the recent Singapore SEA Games.
Posadas said he will encourage newcomers to come in and train with the national pool.
He is eyeing the inclusion of Far Eastern University’s Kenny Gonzales, a pole vaulter, along with Jose Rizal University’s Dave Albarico, UE’s Leslie Angco and six-time discus throw champion John Mantua.