Asa Miller gets support from first Pinoy Winter Olympian as he starts his Beijing campaign

Long before Asa Miller, the first-ever Filipino to compete in the Winter Olympics was Ben Nanasca, along with his cousin Juan Cipriano, when they bannered the Philippines' campaign in the 1972 edition of the games in Sapporo.

Like Miller, Nanasca saw action in the men's giant slalom, and finished in 42nd place of the event. Now, 50 years later, he is rooting for Miller to match or even surpass what he accomplished way back then.

Miller, a 21-year-old alpine skiier, will open his Beijing Winter Olympics bid on Sunday, February 13.

“I don’t really follow [anymore] and I’m not aware of anyone now in the Philippines regarding the Winter Olympics. But I will challenge Asa Miller to beat [or replace] my record, I hope he will,” Nanasca said.

After Nanasca and Cipriano, another Filipino bet Michael Teruel placed 71st in giant slalom and 49th in slalom in Albertville 1992 while Miller ranked 70th among 110 skiers in 2018 Pyeongchang.

According to Nanasca, he was able to find some videos of Miller and said the young Olympian may have what it takes to deliver a strong performance.

“I’ve watched some YouTube clips of Asa. He is in good form and skiing well. He’s trained hard and is very passionate about his sport,” said Nanasca.

“I can see the style of skiing has changed. Wider skis now compared to the long and narrow ones in the 70’s. So hard to compare. But there’s no reason why he won't beat my record. I’m rooting for him and Go Team Philippines! I wish him the very best."

Nanasca is now 68 years old and resides in Auckland, New Zealand, where he teaches students about outdoor activities such as skiing as well as camping, kayaking, and sailing.

Miller, meanwhile, is all set to begin his campaign on Sunday in the men's giant slalom at the National Alpine Skiing Centre where 149 other skiers will compete.

The start list will only be available on Saturday night during the coaches meeting which Miller’s American mentor Will Gregorak will attend. The races start with the first run at 10 a.m. followed by the second run at 1:45 p.m.

“He [Miller] is very positive on the hill and looks confident. I think Asa is a dynamic, exciting skier, period. I think he’ll give us a good show,” Gregorak, a former World Cup ski campaigner for the US team, said.

“He’s executing a movement pattern really well right off the bat today, which is what you want to see as we get to race time. We’re all good.”

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News