JAKARTA — The Philippines starts its golden hunt when three athletes wade into battle in the athletics competition of the 18th Asian Games Saturday at the Gelora Bung Karno track oval here.

First to march into battle is Aries Toledo as he kicks off his bid in men’s decathlon with 100-meter run, long jump and shot put in the morning followed by high jump and 400-meter run in the afternoon.

Filipino-American sprinter Kristina Knott will also be tested as she competes in the women’s 100-meter run while Janry Ubas sees action in the preliminaries of men’s long jump.

Meanwhile, Olympians Eric Cray, Marestella Torres and Mary Joy Tabal as well as other standouts like reigning Southeast Asian Games champion Trenten Beram and EJ Obiena will see action in the next couple of days of this five-day tournament.

Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association president Philip Ella Juico said their hopes are high on the 13 athletes they will be fielding.

In particular, Knott ranks seventh in Asia in the century dash while the vaunted men’s 4×100 relay team of Cray, Beram, Clinton Bautista and Anfernee Lopena ranks sixth in Asia.

“There’s a strong chance that they will be in the finals,” said Juico, who begged off from making a prediction since their main focus is to dominate the 30th Southeast Asian Games in Manila next year.