RPSquash is getting to be popular with the support it is getting from Philippine Olympic Committee and
Philippine Sports Commission. Under the able leadership of Philippine Squash Academy president Robert Bachmann and Secretary General Vince Abad Santos finally the sport is getting the attention of the public. PSC approved a budget of P6.1Million for the year from the P3.4 Million previously. There is also the go signal for the construction of a squash hub at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. This is expected to finish by October with two air-conditioned squash courts with movable side walls for international doubles, shower and dressing rooms and office.
Earlier this month of May, the 12th seed Philippine squad improved on its 14th place finish two years ago to wind up 10th at the 18th Asian Team Squash Championship in Taipei. The Philippines was represented by Robert Garcia age 29, David Pelino age 22, Macmac Begonia age 23 and Rafa Yam age 17 who came all the way from New Zealand to play for the country. The Filipinos beat Macau, 3-0 and Sri Lanka, 2-1 and lost to Japan, India and Quatar to take the 10th spot.
June 3-8, 2016 saw our Philippine Team in the Menpora Kijono Cup Open Squash Championship 2016 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Jamyca Aribado of the Philippines landed the gold medal versus Teh Min Ern of Malaysia while Robert Garcia got the bronze medal versus Valentino Bong also of Malaysia.
Philippine Squash Academy has also in its lineup Filipino junior players based in New Zealand headed by Rafa Yam, 17 years old and currently ranked #8 in the under 19 bracket, Champion team captain of Westlake Boys High School in its 3-peat win in the Auckland College Sport Squad Team Championship this June 22, 2016; Matthew Lucente, currently ranked #1 and Gabe Yam ranked #2, under seventeen bracket.
With all the developments going on with the Philippine Squash Academy, we expect to see the increase in the number of people playing squash whether just for fitness and fun or the more serious athletes for international competitions to bring honor to the country.
By Ruben R. Roque
