CdM Arapoc confident of Team PH's chances

CHENGDU — Team Philippine Chef de Mission Stephen Arapoc is unfazed by the looming challenges in this World Games where the Filipino athletes exude might more than being the usual underdogs.

The muay thai president is never lacking the confidence when he rallies behind the 47-strong delegation in the 11-day competition, with some bets even getting marked by foreign rivals in a rare occasion of this magnitude of tournament.

And he sure has the numbers in his mind, but Arapoc would rather be modest than overassuring.

"With team work and strong support from the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission, there is no doubt we will produce champions here," said Arapoc, who is flying to this Chinese city Wednesday afternoon.

With world champions and veterans in the mix, Team Philippines is counting down the days before the actual action begins and start making bold statements across venues dotted around this ultramodern metropolis that has rolled down the red carpet by every inch from the Tianfu Airport to the humongous billeting complex.

Wushu stars Agatha Wong and Jones Inso, and cable wakeboarder Raph Trinidad tasted the world-class treatment touched by Chinese hospitality upon arriving Tuesday morning.

Minus the language barrier that has created both the confusion and friendship afterwards, everything felt just like home — the kindness, the delectable selection of food at the big dining area, and the surprising hot weather that mimics Manila.

"Food and room are great, so far everything is okay," said floorball president Marco Ortiz, whose team was first to dip its toes on the mainland as the players needed to prepare for their preliminary game against Latvia Thursday morning.

With everyone about to settle at the Tianfu International Hotel Complex — one of the two "Villages" for both the athletes and officials — Team Philippines is slowly getting the manpower with the arrival of the dragon boat team, muay standout Rudzma Abubakar, and the duathlon squad led by Kim Mangrobang on Wednesday.

The numbers are surely important with the opening ceremony set at the Tianfu International Convention Centre the following day, with athletes all enjoined to join the parade and wave the Philippine flag.