THE Philippines was nothing short of spectacular in Day One of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Not only did the host nation kickstart its bid to reclaim the overall championship it last won 14 years ago, it also moved two gold medals away from equalling its total gold haul from two years back in Kuala Lumpur.
However, a looming storm is threatening to douse that fire with Typhoon Tisoy about to land squarely on the embers of the Philippines' flame.
Most cities in Metro Manila have already cancelled classes in the elementary and high school level because of the approaching typhoon. And it already got its first SEA Games casualty as the windsurfing events set on Monday at Lighthouse Marina have already been cancelled.
The question is will the other sports be affected, too?
Over 25 medals are up for grabs on Monday's events, but of the sports that might be directly affected by the impending disaster, three sports stand out.
The finals for both the men's and women's mountain bike downhill are slated at Tatlong Bungo in Laurel, Batangas, and a wet terrain is surely a dangerous path for the games to take place.
So is lawnballs, set at New Clark City, as well as the duathlon and triathlon events scheduled in Subic.
Of course, the occasional flooding might also hit Manila and affect venues like the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, where Hidilyn Diaz is about to start her quest for gold in weightlifting, and Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan, where 3x3 basketball will see its conclusion.
Would Phisgoc opt to cancel more events as the typhoon nears?
Let's hope not.
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