The country’s performance in the 25th Southeast Asian Games will be put to a big test when it competes in the 1st Asian Martial Arts Games which starts on Saturday at the Indoor Stadium Huamark of the Sports Authority of Thailand in Bangkok.

Bannered by eight-time SEA Games gold medalist John Baylon, 31 athletes from judo, taekwondo, karatedo, muay, kickboxing, pencak silat and wushu comprise the tiny Philippine delegation in this event that drew 1,372 athletes from 41 countries.

Taekwondo and judo will be the first to wade into battle for a chance to grab the first two of the more than 90 gold medals at stake. Action starts tomorrow.

Taekwondo will be played at the Indoor Stadium Huamark while judo will he held at the Bangkok Youth Center with the 44-year old Baylon billed as one of the premier contenders.

“They are all in high spirits and ready to go,” Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Harry Angping said. “This could be a preview of how we will fare in the 25th SEA Games. We’re hoping for the best because we sent only the best.”

Also included in the contingent headed by judo president Dave Carter and soft tennis chief Jeff Tamayo are wushu’s Mary Jane Estimar and Mariane Mariano, taekwondo’s john Paul Lizardo, Alex Briones, Marlon Avenido, and Kristie Alora.

Baylon’s teammates, 2005 SEA Games gold medalists Karen Ann Solomon and Helen Dawa, are also expected to shine as well as Marna Pabillore of karatedo.

“What we have is a good mixture of young and experienced athletes,” Carter said. “This event is more than just an ordinary exposure; it will also serve as a yardstick of how we’ll perform in the SEA Games.”

The PSC expects a record-low of only 15 to 20 gold medals at stake. But Angping said he is expecting the athletes to deliver so he could revise his previous projection.

“I will be very happy if they prove me wrong,” Angping said. “That may be a bleak forecast, but our athletes should take it as a challenge.”