"We’re now ready to take that challenge of going into the next level," said Ric Camaligan, president of the Philippine Skating Union during a media briefing yesterday where he presented the members of the team.

"Now is our chance to prove that we can also match up in tough competitions such as the Asian Winter Games," said Camaligan after noting that his team had scored several victories in various recreational tournaments abroad but none in any serious ice skating competition.

The team is entered in only the figure skating events, which is the centerpiece event of the tournament.

The RP squad will depart for Changchun, China today where the 6th Asian Winter Games will be held from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4.

Fil-Ams Michael Novales and Gracielle Tan, who toughened themselves up by training in the United States, spearhead the five-man crew.

Also part of the team are 2001 Philippine Skating Union titlist Jerico Lim, reigning junior ladies champion Anne Clarisse Roman and Las Piñas bet Ramina Palaca. Leonardo Aranton has been named coach.

If the Filipinos perform well, they will try to join some qualifying events for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.

Apart from the figure skating, the association also hopes to introduce other winter sports like short-track speed skating and ice hockey.

The Philippine Sports Commission has allotted R1.5 million for the team’s participation in the quadrennial meet which was developed as the winter version of the Asian Games.

Its inaugural staging was held in Sapporo, Japan in 1986 where only seven countries participated. This time, a total of 45 member nations will be competing in the event.

Other events on tap are short-track speed skating, speed skating, ice hockey, biathlon, alpine skiing, snowboard, cross-country skiing, freestyle skiing and curling.