Joey Barba (right) failed to defend his mountain bike downhill crown after the Philippine cycling team was barred by the International Cycling Union (UCI) from competing in this year’s Games in Laos. (Photo by ALBERT GARCIA)

VIENTIANE, Laos — The downhill event of mountain bike of the 25th Southeast Asian Games began Wednesday with defending champion Joey Barba watching from the sidelines at Dane Soung.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) rejected an appeal from the SEAG council to grant temporary licenses to Filipino riders Tuesday, dealing a final blow to the country’s gold medal quest in the sport.

Remia Bitbit is the only rider from the 12-man team that can compete, but won’t likely see action, according to RP coach Joselito Santos.

“This is a matter of principle because we know that our team is the legal representative of the country,” he said.

The cycling row came on the heels of the country’s first medal – a silver in water polo.

Back home, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Harry Angping rued the lost opportunity.

In a statement released Tuesday, Angping said: “Sending a team that would inevitably be prohibited from competing was a waste of resources.”

“We could have assembled and sent the best qualified and licensed riders who have the biggest chance of winning at least one or two gold medals in this event,” he added.

The PSC chief said a similar scenario was avoided in billiards where he interceded.

“We ended up with a win-win solution sending the best qualified athletes who will be able to deliver the gold medals for our country,” he added.

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) was set to release a statement late Wednesday.

The poomsae events of taekwondo kicked off Wednesday with world champions Rani Ann Ortega, Camille Alarilla and Janice Lagman trying to win the country’s first gold medal.

The celebrated cousins made history last week when they gave the Philippines its first world crown in taekwondo in Cairo, Egypt.

They are expected to encounter a stiff challenge from Vietnam, silver medalist in the world championship.

The Filipinos are also entered in the men’s team and the mixed pair events.

Seeing action in the men’s team are Anthony Matias, brothers Jean Pierre and Brian Alan Sabido while Ortega and Jean Pierre Sabido will take part in the mixed pair event.

Five gold medals are on tap in poomsae.

On Tuesday, the men’s and women’s hoop teams settled for the bronze medals in sepak takraw after being eliminated in the semifinals.

The gold medals in both events will be disputed Wednesday.

All in all, seven gold medals are in store prior to the start of the opening ceremonies at the National Stadium.