PH women’s bobsled team snags silver in Korea Cup, men’s crew finishes 4th

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine winter sports is on the rise as bobsledders Rhea Joy Sumalpong and Shirley Salamagos bagged silver in the Korea Cup Bobsled Championship that ran from February 27 to 28 in Pyeongchang.

In the same month the country won its first-ever Asian Winter Games gold courtesy of the men’s curling team, Sumalpong and Salamagos finished second in the women’s division behind the hosts with a best time of 55.07 seconds.

South Korea struck gold, while Thailand claimed bronze.

“The training is extremely exhausting and difficult but all of our sacrifices are worth it,” said Sumalpong, a former discus thrower who represented the Philippines in the Southeast Asian Games.

In the men’s side, Eugene Primo Etrata and John Froilan Pascual missed out on a podium finish as they placed fourth behind South Korea, Tunisia, and Thailand.

The Filipino pair clocked a best time of 54.02 seconds, falling just less than a second behind Thailand for the bronze.

“We proved to everyone that the Philippines can compete in the sport of bobsled. We pursued this to give honor to the Philippines,” said Etrata.

Under the Philippine National Bobsled Luge and Skeleton Association (PNBLSA), the men’s and women’s teams have been training in Pyeongchang since November in preparation for the Korea Cup and other upcoming competitions.

“Things are definitely looking up for Philippine bobsled and we are determined to make a play for the North America races later this year and the Winter Olympics next year,” said PNBLSA president Thelmo Cunanan. – Rappler.com