Subic—Kim Mangrobang and John Rambo Chicano are poised to rule the triathlon competition at Subic Bay Boardwalk on Sunday.
The 28-year-old Mangrobang, who claimed the gold medal in 2017, will see action in the individual women’s category at 8 a.m.
In her previous interviews, Mangrobang, who spent the last couple of years training in Portugal, has been always vocal, saying that she won’t settle for anything less than a gold medal.
Mangrobang will be paired with Filipino-foreign triathlete Kim Kilgroe in a bid for another 1-2 finish similar to the team’s feat in 2017 Malaysia.
The same goes for Chicano after a second-place finish to Nikko Huelgas in the individual men’s division in the 2017 edition of the biennial meet. Cebuano triathlete Kim Remolino will likewise aim for the gold after topping a couple of Filipino elite races prior to the SEA Games.
“Siyempre nandoon pa rin ‘yung mindset na goal natin maka-gold para sa Philippines,” said Chicano, who’s gunning for his first SEA Games gold medal. “Doon lang kami nakatingin ngayon.”
“‘Yung feeling na nire-represent mo ‘yung bansa, sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam lalung lalo na kung nananalo ka para sa bayan mo,” he added.
Although they have the home-court advantage, Chicano was quick to say that complacency has no room in the Philippine national team.
He mentioned Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam as their toughest competitor as they start the race at 6 a.m.
“Nandiyan pa rin ‘yung Singapore, malakas pa rin ‘yung lineup nila ngayon. Tinitignan din namin ‘yung Malaysia and Vietnam kasi malakas daw ‘yung swimmer nila so tignan natin,” said Chicano. “Pero gold pa rin ang target natin.”