PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications (Smart) continues to support athletes representing the country in the international arena, this time providing communication and connectivity support to the Philippine national team competing at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.
Composed of more than 270 athletes, the Philippine team is set to face the best Asian athletes in Jakarta and Palembang from August 18 to September 2.
Smart, through the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), turned over Smart Prepaid LTE SIMS and load cards that the Filipino athletes can use on Smart World Data Roaming Manager – an international service that Smart subscribers abroad can access to easily manage mobile internet usage.
POC Secretary General Patrick Gregorio believes that the communication support is essential to the delegation’s performance.
“The success of the Filipino athlete would depend on the support of the Filipino people. We need that communication line para solid ang suporta natin,” said Gregorio.
Smart sends off national basketball team
During the send-off practice before the team flew to Indonesia, Smart committed its support to the Philippine national men’s basketball team, pledging connectivity for the players during the tournament. They were provided Smart Prepaid SIMs and load cards, plus premium access to Free Bee, an app that delivers crystal-clear calls to the Philippines for free, without requiring internet connection from their families back home.
After a few challenges just days leading to the Asian Games, the team is now ready to raise the Philippine flag with the last-minute inclusion of Filipino-American NBA star Jordan Clarkson raising hopes for a medal finish.
Asked about their preparation for the games, Assistant Coach Ricky Yumayang said that the team has been training rigorously.
“Given the time constraints that we’re facing, we are working hard every day to practice and hone our skills with Coach Yeng Guiao. Everything is going as planned,” Yumayang said.
“Right now, we are doing our best to take care of ourselves mentally and physically, so we can achieve our goal as early as the first round,” said veteran basketball player Asi Taulava.
Representing the country together with Clarkson, the all-star roster consists of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ Maverick Ahanmisi, Raymond Almazan, Beau Belga, Chris Tiu, Gabe Norwood, and James Yap, Magnolia Hotshots’ Paul Lee, San Miguel’s Christian Standhardinger, GlobalPort Batang Pier’s Stanley Pringle, Blackwater Elite’s Poy Erram, and NLEX Road Warriors’ Asi Taulava.
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