PHNOM PENH — Senate president and Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF) chief Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri hopes that the Filipino martial art can deliver at least half of the 12 gold medals at stake in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games here beginning on Sunday at the Chroy Changvar Center Hall A.

“At least six golds,” said Zubiri, a former arnis world champion in 1989. “I will be happy if we get at least six gold medals. The other Southeast Asian nations like Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar are progressing in our native sport.”

Twenty-three Filipino arnisadors will compete in all the events, namely full contact live stick and padded (men’s and women’s bantamweight and lightweight events), stick, forms (anyo) individual and team non-traditional open weapon.

Southeast Asian Games’ 2019 anyo gold medalist Mary Allin Lomarda Aldeguer, Dexler Sandigan (combat) Bolambao, Chris Samuel Delfin (forms), and Jeddah-Mae Soriano will lead the Filipino contingent in the three-day event.

Game time starts at 1 p.m.

The Philippines bagged 14 golds, four silvers, and two bronze medals in 20 events to capture the overall championship in the 2019 Philippine Southeast Asian Games.

In the Vietnam meet last year, arnis was not played.