2 major events lined up for Asiad-bound RP tracksters

The Philippine Track and Field Association (PATAFA) has lined up two events in order to evaluate its athletes that will compete in this year's Guangzhou Asian Games in China this year. First up for PATAFA is the annual National Open Track and Field Championships slated from May 21 to 23 at the Rizal Memorial Track and Field Stadium while a six-member RP national team will be competing in an invitational tournament in Chinese-Taipei on May 28 and 29. PATAFA will use both tournaments as a gauge for its selection of athletes that will represent the country in the quadrennial meet in November. The event, which will feature top collegiate local tracksters and and national training pool members, will be the last event that will be held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium before renovations begin to modernize the country's decades-old facility. PATAFA has not extended invitation to foreign countries but Sabah, Malaysia has confirmed that they are sending athletes to in the three-day tournament. Five days after the event, the Roslyn Hamero-coached Nationals leave for Chinese-Taipei. Four of the six members won gold medals in the 2009 Laos Southeast Asian Games with SEAG rcord holder Arniel Ferera leading the team. Ferrera holds the new mark in hammer throw. Rene Herrera (3,000-meter steeplechase), Danilo Fresnido (men's javelin throw) and Rosie Villarito (women's javelin throw) are the other gold medalists in Vientiane. Middle distance runner Julius Sermona and female high jumper Narcisa Atienza complete the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)-backed RP squad. In the coming Asiad, the Nationals are expected to face stiff competition from traditional powerhouses China, Korea, Japan and SEAG rival Thailand. Athletics won seven gold medals in Laos. So far, SEAG women's long jump holder Marestella Torres is the lone athlete who has secured a seat to the Guangzhou event. Her 6.68 meters record is competitive enough for the Asiad. Torres is skipping the Open since she'll be training in Germany. – JVP/RCJ, GMANews.TV