Manila, Sept. 16 -- The Philippines will send 136 athletes to the 3rd Asian Youth Games set Oct. 22 to 31 in Manama, Bahrain.

"We'll field a compact team of promising athletes who are all potentially our future Olympic, world and regional champions," Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino said Tuesday.

Ramon "Tats" Suzara, president of both the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC), will serve as chef de mission of Team Philippines.

Promising boxer Leo Mhar Lobrido and young volleyball star Harlyn Serneche are the flag-bearers in the parade of countries during the opening ceremony at the Exhibition World Bahrain.

Tolentino said the target is to match or sur...