PSC ALL OUT SUPPORT BIG BOOST TO PINOY ATHLETES—RUBILEN AMIT

RUBILEN “BINGKAY” AMIT, the 2009 World Ten Ball Women’s Champion said the Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) all out support to “elite athletes” gives the country a big boost in international tournaments including the upcoming 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games (Asiad).

Amit said PSC’s support, especially in the financial side, helps athletes to focus more on training.

“Marami po kasi kaming mga athletes na breadwinners, mga may sinusuportahang family, kaya malaking bagay na binigyan ho [kami] ng peace of mind when it comes from the financial side of things,” she said.

Amit used to work full time as a call center agent in Makati City. She, however, left her job just to give her full focus on billiards.

With her 2 gold medal wins in the 25th Southeast Asian Games in Laos, the PSC has inlcuded her in the list of elite athletes considered capable of winning at least bronze medals in Asiad.

PSC chairman Harry Angping said the athletes beloning in dthe list will get P20,000 monthly allowance plus international exposure of their choice.

Aside from Amit, among those included in the group are grandmaster Wesley So, swimming’s Miguel Molina and Fil-American Daniel Coakley, long jumper Marestella Torres, karatedo’s Marna Pabillore, Fil-Am netters Cecil Mamiit and Treat Conrad Huey and bowler Biboy Rivera.

Amit also said the international exposure they will be getting from the arrangement with the PSC gives them experience of the brand of play overseas.

“‘Yung [international] exposure para sa aming mga players, ‘yung experience factor, kumbaga nakakahasa ng mabuti… at least may fighting chance na tayo,” she said.

By: MARLON BERNARDINO