World-class pole vaulter EJ Obiena and six-time Southeast Asian Games hurdles champion Eric Cray banner a strong Philippine squad competing in the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships on July 12 to 16 in Pattaya, Thailand.

Eric Cray seeks to duplicate his 2017 golden feat in this Asian meet. (File Photo)

A total of 23 Filipino athletes are lined up for the crucial meet, which serves as a venue to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The qualification period for track and field events will start on July 1, with athletes needing to hit Olympic standards.

Both Obiena and Cray gun for a second Olympic appearance following their maiden stints in the 2020 Tokyo and 2016 Rio editions,

Obiena is fresh from resetting his national and Asian mark at the Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway where he cleared 6.00m. The Olympic standard is 5.82m.

Cray, meanwhile, seeks to duplicate his golden feat in the 2017 edition of the Asian meet as he leans on a gold-medal performance at the 32^ndSEAG in Cambodia last month.

Joining Obiena and Cray are fellow Olympian Kristina Knott, Umajesty Williams, Michael Del Prado, Frederick Ramirez, Joyme Sequita, Maureen Schrijvers, Robyn Brown, Bernalyn Bejoy, Jessel Lumpas, Sonny Wagdos, John Cabang Tolentino, Clinton Bautista, Janrey Ubas, William Morrison, Aries Toledo, Johnmike Lera, Arlan Arbois, Gennah Malapit, Joida Gagnao, Ronne Malipay and Sarah Dequinan.

Ten coaches and nine officials that include therapists and masseurs will accompany the squad.