POC chief vows to fight ‘a thousand times’ for Gilas as Abueva, 3 others await Asiad clearance

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino on Thursday vowed to fight for the inclusion of four players in Gilas Pilipinas' campaign in the 19th Asian Games in China.

The nationals are currently waiting for the clearance of Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo, Mo Tautuaa, and Jason Perkins after the four players were left out from the new 37-man pool recently submitted by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to the organizers.

“We will push it a thousand times, we’ll push it every time they deny it,” Tolentino said after the flag-raising ceremony for the country at the Asian Games Village (Athletes Village).

Initially, Abueva and Perkins were the only players whose clearances were being pushed by SBP and POC as the two PBA cagers were not originally part of the initial 60-man pool.

In last Tuesday's press conference, though, it was revealed that Romeo and Tautuaa were also cut in the new list of 37 players.

Aside from the 5-on-5 basketball, POC was also seeking for the inclusion of three athletes in fencing and one each in gymnastics and golf as late replacements but were denied with finality by the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee or Hagoc.

They were fencers Alexa Lareabal, Hae Abella and Lee Ergina, golfer Chanelle Avaricio, and gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar.

“We are praying for fair sports and we strongly hope to separate all other issues from the Games,” he said.

The Asian Games will officially open on September 23.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News