SUPORTADO nina Sama­hang Basketbol ng Pilipinas head Al Panlilio at sur­fing federation chief Dr. Jose Raul Canlas ang lide­rato ni Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

NIlinaw ng dalawa na bahagi sila ng tiket ni Tolentino para sa nalalapit na POC elections.

Tatakbo si Panlilio bilang first vice president habang treasurer naman si Canlas kasama ang grupo ni Tolentino.

“I’m committed only to Philippine sports, to the Filipino athletes and to the leadership of Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who did a good job, and we are hoping to make it better or sustainable in the upco­ming years,” ani Panlilio.

Ito rin ang pananaw ni Canlas na siyang lider ng United Philippine Surfing Association.

“I am for Philippines sports and for the Filipino athletes. Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino has proven himself as an effective leader,” ani Canlas.

Target ni Tolentino na muling makakuha ng four-year term bilang POC president sa eleksiyon na idaraos sa Nobyembre 29 sa East Ocean Seafood Restaurant.

Kasama ni Tolentino sa grupo sina Panlilio, se­cond vice president Richard Gomez, Canlas, Donaldo “Don” Caringal bilang auditor, at executive board members Alvin Aguilar ng wrestling, Alexander “Ali” Sulit ng judo, Ferdinand “Ferdie” Agustin ng jiu-jitsu, Leonora Escollante ng canoe-kayak at Leah Jalandoni Gonzales ng fencing.

Makakalaban ni Tolentino si baseball association president Chito Loyzaga.

Nauna nang inilabas ni Loyzaga na kasama nito sina Panlilio at Canlas sa grupo.

Subalit nilinaw nina Panlilio at Canlas na tinanggihan nito pareho ang offer ni Loyzaga na maging bahagi ng kanilang tiket.

SA IKALAWANG pagkakataon, masisilayan sa finals si Philippine national junior record holder Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh sa 2024 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup third leg na ginaganap sa Singapore.

Muling aarriba sa finals si Mojdeh sa pagkakataong ito sa women’s 400m Individual Medley kung saan makikipagsabayan ito sa mahuhusay na tankers sa mundo.

Kabilang sa mga makakasabay ni Mojdeh sa finals si Katie Grimes ng Amerika na silver medalist sa 2024 Paris Olympics gayundin sina Mary Sophie Harvey ng Canada at Tara Kinder ng Australia.

Pasok din sa finals sina WakaKobori ng Japan, Yiyan Victoria Lim ng Singapore, Nikolera Trnikova ng Slovakia at Apple Jean Gwinn ng Chinese-Taipei.

Nagpasya si Mojdeh na hindi na sumalang sa 50m butterfly at 100m breaststroke events upang maisentro ang kanyang a­ten­siyon sa 400m IM finals.

“Unfortunately, I had to scratch the 50 fly and 100 breaststroke heats to focus on the IM,” ani Mojdeh na incoming freshman sa University of Southern California sa Los Angeles.

Aminado si Mojdeh na matinding laban ang haharapin nito ngunit handa itong makipagsabayan sa mahuhusay na tankers sa kanyang event.

“While I’m not expecting a stellar time due to fatigue and a lingering injury, I’m grateful for the experience of competing against the world’s best. I’m also enjo­ying Singapore’s delicious food and relaxed atmos­phere,” dagdag ni Mojdeh.

Nauna nang nakapasok sa finals ng 200m butterfly si Mojdeh kung saan nagtapos ito sa ikawalong puwesto tangan ang bilis na dalawang minuto at 16.58 segundo.

“I had a better performance in Singapore than in Korea, especially qualifying for the 200 Fly and 400 IM finals back to back,” ani Mojdeh.

Nagpasalamat ito sa Philippine Aquatics Inc. at Philippine Sports Commission sa suportang ibinibigay nito upang mas lalo pang mapalakas ang mga swimmers.

“I’m thankful to my coaches, Sherwyn Santiago and Jerricson Llanos, for their guidance and support, as well as to PAI coaches, PSC, and my teammates. This ex­perience will undoubtedly help me grow as an athlete and better represent the Philippines in the future,” wika ni Mojdeh.