Davao sepak takraw team to play in 5th BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games in Brunei

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 25 (PNA) – Davao City's sepak takraw team will play in the international competition debut in the 5th BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games on November 28 to 30 in Brunei Darussalam.

BIMP-EAGA means Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area.

Team captain Mark Stephen Ong, a varsity player at the University of Mindanao, said they are ready to compete in the Games.

"We are glad that the city government of Davao is sending us to the EAGA Games. We will just do our best and put into action what we have learned in our trainings. We are ready to play," he said.

Ong will be joined by Joeben Aton, Johnel Parangan, Alex Barrios and Melbert Icoy in the team.

On the other hand, Davao City Sepak Takraw Association (DCSTA) president Nilda Sebellino said the team had been focusing its training on offense and defense techniques.

“Malaysia is the team to beat as its players usually do somersaults and cartwheels. And this will be the first time for Davao's sepak takraw team to play in an air-conditioned indoor venue,” she said.

"It will be a great adjustment for the boys since they are used to play outdoors. But I believe they will adapt to the venue quite well," she added.

The Davao City delegates will form part of the 31-member Team Mindanao of the 96-member Team Philippines headed by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William "Butch" Ramirez.

Mindanao is also seeing action in badminton and track and field.