Antipolo native Lea Inlayo is set to follow in the footsteps of Konsi Bobot Marquez when she represents the Philippines in the coming Southeast Asia Games in Hanoi, Vietnam to be held May 12 to 23, 2022.

       Marquez represented the Philippines when he competed as a member of the Philippine basketball team which won the silver medal in the 1979 SEA Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. Inlayo will compete in women’s badminton in Vietnam.

       Inlayo is one of six women in the 12-member national badminton team now billeted at the First Pacific Leadership Academy along Juan Sumulong Avenue, Antipolo.

       Inlayo, who is a few units shy of completing Bachelor of Physical Education at the University of the Philippines, teams up with Susmita Ramos in Women’s doubles and Solomon Padiz, Jr. in Mixed doubles.

       The team holds twice-a-day training at the Aerodrome Badminton Court in Taytay, Rizal under foreign coach Rosman Razak and local coach Joper Escueta.

       Just like the Tokyo and Beijing Olympics, the 31st Southeast Asian Games will go ahead as planned despite the COVID-19 pandemic according to organizers.

       It was originally scheduled to take place from November 21 to December 2 last year but was postponed due to the coronavirus.

       Strict anti-COVID-19 protocols are set to be adopted by organizers in Vietnam and participating countries will be expected to follow the rules.

       More than 7,000 athletes from 11 countries are expected to compete in the Games.