A new wave of young Filipino athletes is ready to step onto the continental stage. The Philippines is sending a 141-strong delegation to the Third Asian Youth Games in Manama, Bahrain, from October 22 to 31, with high hopes of surpassing its past achievements.

The team, composed of promising standouts from across the country, carries the responsibility of continuing the nation’s proud sporting tradition. For many, it will be their first taste of international competition — and the pressure is matched only by their excitement.

Boxer Leo Mhar Lobrido, fresh off his 16th birthday, is one of two flag bearers leading the group. A gold medalist at the Greater Area Bay Youth Boxing Challenge in China last year, Lobrido has quickly become one of the brightest prospects in the amateur boxing ranks. “We’ll train and do our best to get a medal,” he said, fully aware of the spotlight on him in Bahrain.

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Young stars embrace the challenge

Sharing the flag-bearing duties is volleyball standout Harlene Serneche, an 18-year-old National University recruit who believes the delegation has what it takes to make an impact. “We have potential and hopefully we’ll be competitive there,” she said.

The athletes were formally introduced at a team photo shoot at Rizal Memorial Coliseum, where Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino expressed confidence in their chances. He pointed to the country’s 2013 performance — gold medals from Pauline Lopez (taekwondo) and Mia Legaspi (golf), plus three silvers — as the benchmark. “Yes, this team has a strong fighting chance,” Tolentino said.

The delegation’s presentation also highlighted stylish uniforms designed by Avel Bacudio, worn by athletes from different sports including athletics’ Pi Durden Wangkay and Lorainne Batalla, Muay’s Jan Brix Ramiscal, MMA siblings Charlie and Travis Ratcliff, and volleyball’s Rhose Almendralejo.

Almendralejo, an 11th grader from Bacolod’s Tay Tung High School, joins NU’s high school volleyball core for the Games. “It’s a big pressure for me because this is only the second time I’m competing outside the country,” she said. “I hope to help the team and do well.”

Competing across 18 sports

Led by chef de mission Ramon “Tats” Suzara, the Philippine delegation will compete in 18 of the 26 sports on the program. These include volleyball, teqball, golf, triathlon, MMA, taekwondo, muay, athletics, boxing, cycling, weightlifting, table tennis, badminton, wrestling, aquatics, jiu-jitsu, kurash and pencak silat.

Bahrain is expected to host more than 4,000 athletes, alongside hundreds of team officials and coaches, for the 10-day multi-sport meet. For the Philippines, it’s a chance to discover future stars and set the tone for the next decade of international competition.