Aside from Carlos Yulo, two other aspirants could make it to the national team in the coming 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya said he is also looking at Reyland Capellan, who playing with another teammate in Rafael Ablaza did well with Yulo when they joined the Toyota International meet in Japan last December.
“For the SEA Games, we are preparing for that. The other boys have a chance. And there’s Capelland, who got golds in 2015 and 2017,” said Kugimiya.
Kugimiya is helping the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines develop its training program with the national coaches, with Aldrin Castaneda as the head coach for the men’s team.
At the Toyota International, the 25-year-old Capellan ended up eighth with 12.275 points, while Ablaza was no. 11 with 11.925 in the floor exercises of the men’s artistic competitions.
In the vault exercises, Yulo pocketed the silver with 13.937 points behind South Korea’s Shin Jea Hwan with 14.2. Capellan took fourth with 13.75.
In the parallel bars, Yulo won another silver with 14.4 points behind Japan’s Kazuma Kaya with 14.55.
Yulo was tied with Japan’s Kakeru Tanigawa for second, but clinched the silver because he had more points in execution, 8.7 to 8.4 although less in difficulty, 5.7 to 6.0. On the other hand, Ablaza came in 11th with 11.575.
The Toyota event featured gymnasts from 10 countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and Chinese Taipei.
Castaneda said they have started their evaluation process for the aspiring team members.
Yulo is expected to be shoo-in with Capellan and Ablaza.
On the other hand, aspirants Jay Timbang and Matthew Vergara are among those trying to make the cut.
In the women’s division, standouts Christine Onofre and Chloe Gatlabayan are among the top candidates.