Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 24) – Tokyo Olympian and 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) gold medalist Cris Nievarez anchors the Philippine rowing team for the next edition of the biennial regional sports event in Hanoi, Vietnam in May.
The national rowing team’s lineup was shared to CNN Philippines by head coach Ed Maerina.
Nievarez – the first Filipino rower to qualify for the Olympics after over two decades – is tipped to defend his SEAG title in the men’s lightweight single sculls event.
The rowing sensation from Atimonan, Quezon is also listed in the men’s lightweight double sculls with Christian Joseph Jasmin, the men’s quadruple sculls, and as a reserve in the men’s lightweight quadruple sculls category.
Nievarez is joined by Jasmin, Athens Greece Tolentino, and Roque Abala, Jr. in the men’s quadruple sculls category.
Jasmin, Tolentino, Van Adrian Maxilom, and Emmanuel Joseph Obaña are the main anchors for the Philippines in the men’s lightweight quadruple sculls event.
2019 SEAG men’s lightweight double sculls bronze medalist Edgar Ilas will shift to the men’s lightweight pair category in Vietnam as he teams up with Zuriel Sumintac.
Ilas and Sumintac also form the other half of the Philippine team in the men’s lightweight four division, along with Abala and Joachim De Jesus.
Meanwhile, 2019 SEAG gold medalist Joanie Delgaco is the captain for the female rowers as she seeks a back-to-back title conquest for the Philippines in the women’s lightweight single sculls.
Her former teammate Melcah Caballero – who recently retired from the rowing team – bagged the gold in the event in 2019. Delgaco and Caballero also teamed up for the golden finish in the women’s lightweight double sculls in the last SEAG.
Ateneo rowing team member Alyssa Hannah Go and Kharl Julianne Sha are assigned to defend Delgaco and Caballero’s title in the women’s lightweight double sculls.
Veteran rower Amelyn Pagulayan and Ateneo rowing team product Mireille Qua are the duo for the women’s double sculls event.
2022 Asian Rowing Indoor Championships silver medalist Kristine Paraon will team up with Pagulayan in the women’s lightweight pair event.
Pagulayan, Qua, Paraon, and Feiza Jane Lenton form part of the women’s quadruple sculls team.
Delgaco is also listed in the women’s lightweight quadruple sculls and women’s lightweight four squads along with Lenton, Sha, and Go.
Maerina said the Philippine rowing team will not have a scheduled tournament before the Vietnam SEAG, and will continue to train at the La Mesa Dam in Quezon City for the biennial competition.
