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Winter Olympics: Optimism for Team PH despite Michael Martinez’s ‘dehado’ status

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Dominic Menor, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/sports/03/31/martinez-rtr-2017-033017.jpg"/><figcaption>Michael Martinez. ABS-CBN News file photo</figcaption></figure></div>The country&#x27;s top representative to the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, said expectations need to be managed as Michael Martinez laces up for the preliminary phase of the figure-skating competition scheduled Friday morning.Tom Carrasco, chef de mission of the Philippine team to the Games, told ABS-CBN News Thursday night that the goal for Martinez is to crack the top 24 at Gangneung Ice Arena and advance.There are 30 entries in the qualifying short program on Friday, and those who make the quota will be entered in the free-skate round, or the medal round, on Saturday.Competition Friday morning <a href="https://www.pyeongchang2018.com/en/game-time/results/OWG2018/en/figure-skating/daily-schedule-date=2018-02-16.htm">begins</a> at roughly 9 a.m. Manila time (10 a.m. Pyeongchang).Unlike his rivals, Martinez didn&#x27;t have the benefit of a prolonged preparation heading into the tournament.Martinez received his Olympic ticket some time late January when a Swedish entry backed out.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/01/25/18/michael-martinez-gains-spot-in-winter-olympics">READ: Martinez gains spot in Winter Olympics</a></li></ul>Carrasco said Martinez&#x27;s training has been limited and not as intense compared with the rest of the field, given the short notice.&quot;Dehado tayo. I told Michael to do his best. This is the Olympics. Remember the Olympic spirit. Twice Olympian ka na. Do your best for your country,&quot; Carrasco said.Martinez is <a href="http://www.isuresults.com/ws/ws/wsmen.htm">currently ranked</a> No. 44 in the world, 3 places behind Julian Yee of Malaysia.Yee took home the gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games last year, edging Martinez, who settled for silver.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/08/28/17/sea-games-did-new-routine-cost-michael-martinez-the-gold">READ: Did new routine cost Martinez SEA Games gold?</a></li></ul>&quot;Kailangan lang siguro (for Martinez), do your best, your personal best and maybe iakyat mo iyong world ranking mo,&quot; Carrasco said.In the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Martinez made the final-24 cut and placed 20th in the free-skating phase. He was Southeast Asia&#x27;s lone representative in those Games.(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.)

As Michael Martinez laces up for the preliminary phase of the figure-skating event in Pyeongchang, a top Filipino sports official there said it's best to manage expectations.

As Michael Martinez laces up for the preliminary phase of the figure-skating event in Pyeongchang, a top Filipino sports official there said it's best to manage expectations.

Winter Olympics: Optimism for Team PH despite Michael Martinez’s ‘dehado’ status

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Winter Olympics: Optimism for Team PH despite Michael Martinez’s ‘dehado’ status

Dominic Menor,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 15, 2018 10:35 PM PHT

Read More:

Pyeongchang Olympics

Winter Olympics

Michael Martinez

figure skating

South Korea

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