Following the return of Philippine athletes from the recently-concluded 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, the country is set to send off its delegation to the 5th Asian Para Games, which will also be held in the Japanese city. Among those expected to take part in the quadrennial meet are Paralympian swimmers Ernie Gawilan and Angel Otom, as well as javelin and shot put thrower Alyana Nuñez and veteran taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin. However, the team took a hit because para chess, which produced most of the country’s gold medals in the previous edition of the games in Hangzhou, is not included in the program. “Our campaign will be affected because of the pulling out of chess in the Asian Para Games,” Philippine chef-de-mission Francis Diaz told reporters on Wednesday. “So far these are our top probable gold medal winners [Gawilan, Otom], who are all gold medalists in the Asean Para Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand in January this year… The others, it’s a tall order but everyone is much prepared,” Diaz said. The sports official expected at least four gold medals, the same number won by the Asian Games athletes, for this year’s Games. Members of the national team attended a mass in the Philsports Complex in Pasig City and a sendoff ceremony was held right after. “Go for the gold. The higher the target, the better,” Philippine Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo told the para-athletes. The 5th Asian Para Games will be held in Nagoya from Oct. 18 to 24, with para table tennis player Lhey Manginsay carrying the country’s flag at the opening ceremony. ARIC JOHN SY CUA