A SEVEN-MEMBER Association for the Advancement of Karatedo (AAK) Davao team aims to still bring home medals in the 16th Malaysian Milo Open Karatedo Championships that opened May 15 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia even without two of its veteran champions Gabriel Quiñones and Carmela Marie Estarija.
AAK Davao chief Rommel Tan, in a Facebook chat Friday, said: "May chances man mudaog, depende na lang ni ugma dili lang ko mag-predict. Half sa team first timers. Wala si Quiñones injured ug si Estarija kay busy sa studies (We have good chances to win medals but it still depends on what happens tomorrow. I really can't predict since half of the team are first-timers. Quiñones is injured and Estarija is busy with her academics so they couldn't join us)."
Tan said only John Paul Ponce, Julian Ambrose Ramirez and Pavel Jervis Bacayo are the seasoned players in the team that is also composed of Tan's daughter Atsuko Kaiyel, Sofia Agullo, Emmanuel Bayugo and Darlene Ross Maramara.
Ponce is entered in boys 10-11 kata and kumite while Ramirez is seeing action in boys 14-15 kata and kumite and Bacayo vies for honors in juniors -76 kgs.
Atsuko Kaiyel competes in girls 6-7 kata while Agullo shows her wares in girls 12-13 kata and kumite and Bayugo playing in boys 14-15 kata and kumite. Maramara, for her part, takes a shot for glory in girls 14-15 kata and kumite events.
Team managers Jay Ramirez and Edgar Ponce also form part of the Team AAK Davao that is backed up by Beefit Gym, Yay and Joanne Ramirez, rachelle Mararmara, Ruth Agullo, Angel Triple Baril and EMB Gas Stations of Edna and Joel Pilones of Tagum and Mr. and Mrs. Bayugo.
Last year, AAK Davao collected five golds, two silvers and two bronzes with six players