By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

PHILIPPINE bets in the ongoing 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, plunge into action in their respective disciplines in events set for this weekend.

Figure skater Michael Martinez, a returning Winter Olympian, will compete in the men’s single skating event set for 9 a.m. today where he hopes to go far and improve on his 19th place finish in the last Olympics in Sochi, Russia, in 2014.

Mr. Martinez, 21, got into the PyeongChang Games by way of a late call-up following the pullout of Sweden’s Alexander Majorov for the quadrennial games.

His name was inserted in on the strength of finishing eighth in the final Olympic qualifier in September last year at the Nebelhorn Trophy Competition.

The finish was just a spot away from advancing as the top seven in the tournament earned Olympic berths.

Despite given the short notice, Mr. Martinez expressed readiness to compete as he has been training consistently with his coach and choreographer in the United States.

He also vowed to give his best as he represents the country anew.

The other Filipino bet, Alpine skier Asa Miller, will see action on Sunday, Feb. 18, at the men’s giant slalom.

Run 1 of the event is set for 9:15 a.m. while Run 2 is at 12:45 p.m.

This marks the first time that Filipino-American Miller will represent the country in the Olympics.

The 17-year-old Miller, who resides in Portland, Oregon, and traces his roots to Manila by a Filipino mother, competed in last year’s Junior World Championships in Sweden and is using the Olympic Games to further carve his niche as an Alpine skier.

For Philippine chef de mission to the PyeongChang Games Tomas C. Carrasco, to have two representatives in this year’s Olympics from one last time around (Martinez) is a great achievement for a tropical country like the Philippines.

“In 2014, we had only one participant and to have two now from a tropical country is very significant because it shows we are expanding our horizons and going to the Winter Games,” said Mr. Carrasco in an interview with BusinessWorld prior to their departure.

He was quick to say though that they have tempered expectations, recognizing that this is still part of the early steps for the Philippines in its Winter Games journey.

“We’re not really expecting much but what we are hoping to get from it is the experience and long-term development of our athletes especially those like Asa. We are actually surprised that we have an athlete competing in Alpine skiing. Hopefully they could inspire more young athletes to develop their talent and compete for the country,” the chef de mission said.

Filipinos can see Messrs. Martinez and Miller in action over ESPN5.

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