PH athletes waiting for PSC green light to start own 'Calambubble' says POC chief

POC chief Bambol Tolentino is waiting for the PSC's green light before he can clear the national athletes to return to training amid the pandemic. Jess Escaros/PNA (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino said that the national athletes are just waiting for formality before they can begin training inside a bubble at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba ahead of a busy 2021 highlighted by the Tokyo Olympics and the Vietnam Southeast Asian Games.

"Naghihintay ng go signal ang mga atleta natin at NSA's galing sa PSC," Tolentino said on Tuesday at the resumption of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.

According to the concurrent Cavite congressman, he is expecting the PSC to clear the athletes by Saturday.

Athletes from karatedo and athletics are expected to be the first to enter the so-called "Calambubble" as they have outright chances of joining gymnast Caloy Yulo, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, and boxers Eumir Marcial and Irish Magno in the Tokyo Olympics.

PSC commissioner Mon Fernandez said on Saturday that he is projecting a 15-man roster for the Philippine Olympic team this year.

Many pegged that this Olympiad could be the Philippines' best chance to finally capture the elusive gold medal.

PSC chairman Butch Ramirez even said last month that he hopes that the national team will net two golds in the Japanese capital.

Tolentino bared that he also feels the Philippine team can go for two this year.

"Malakas ang kutob natin na... tayong lahat, nagdadasal na... talagang blessing kung one, pero baka madagdagan pa dahil yung nag-qualify, ang laki na ng chances," he further said.

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