The Philippines slammed Hong Kong, 7-2, to open its campaign in the women’s curling team event on a high note in the 9^th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China on Sunday.

Skippered by Kathleen Dubberstein, who finished fourth in the mixed doubles with Fil-Swiss partner Marc Pfister, the Nationals dictated the tempo throughout by seizing a 4-0 lead after the fourth end and never relinquished.

They are battling Qatar at press time in this round robin event that also has host China, Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Thailand, and Chinese Taipei.

Likewise, the men’s team are competing against South Korea at presstime with hopes of following the footsteps of its female counterparts.

The squad is grouped with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Chinese Taipei in the preliminary stage, which has China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Arabia, Qatar and Thailand in Group B.

In short track speed skating, Peter Groseclose failed to advance to the semifinals after landing fourth in the quarterfinal group phase in the men’s 1000-meters.

Groseclose timed 1:28.045 to finish behind group qualifiers Adil Galiakhmetov of Kazakhstan (1:27.443) and Liu Shaoang of China (1:27.720).

Meanwhile, Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and David Lappartient—both presidents of their respective national Olympic committee (NOC) and cycling federation—met in Harbin on Friday and discussed significant topics bordering on their sport and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“From a casual conversation—hellos and how are you?—to the more significant topics concerning cycling and the forthcoming IOC presidential elections,” said Tolentino, president of both the Philippine Olympic Committee and PhilCycling, from China during the opening ceremony of the Harbin Ninth Asian Winter Games.

“As an active national federation of the UCI [International Cycling Union, which Lappartient heads as president], Dave [Lappartient] conscientiously asked about cycling in the Philippines and expressed full support to our track program,” Tolentino said. “He was just too happy to learn that an indoor UCI-standard velodrome in Tagaytay City will be operational in a few months.”

A velodrome is being built in Tagaytay City, where Tolentino is the mayor, and is expected to be operational by the middle of the year—the facility replaces the concrete and outdoor Amoranto Velodrome which the Quezon City government reportedly intends to demolish to give way to a football field.

Lappartient, who heads France’s NOC, is one of seven candidates vying for the position that Thomas Bach will vacate after 12 years—the election is on March 21 in Olympia, Greece.