LET'S get at least eight gold medals this coming Asian Games.
This was the challenge issued by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham 'Bambol' Tolentino to the Aichi-Nagoya-bound Filipino athletes during the official send-off ceremony at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Thursday.
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The POC chief called on this Philippine team comprised of world champions and Olympic medalists to match the country’s gold medal yields in the last two editions of the quadrennial showpiece in Palembang and Hangzhou.
"No pressure for athletes, ilabas nyo na ang lahat ng galing nyo, itodo nyo na," he declared.
While initial forecasts pointed to seven gold medals, the POC Chief dared the nation to dream bigger.
"Mangangarap na rin lang tayo, gawin na nating walo," Tolentino challenged, explaining his formula by combining the four golds won in Palembang with the four golds secured in Hangzhou.
Where will the eight gold medals come from?
Tolentino sees four from combat sports such as jiu-jitsu, boxing, and mixed martial arts, and another four from non-combat disciplines featuring the gymnastics' Yulo brothers, tennis star Alex Eala, skateboarding, and Esports titles like Mobile Legends and Puyo-Puyo.
Expressing absolute faith in the entire delegation, Tolentino emphasized that every athlete is capable of delivering a medal and pulling off surprises.
Hinting that "more incentives to come," he rallied the team: "Hindi namin kayo pine-pressure, ibigay nyo na. Itodo n'yo na. Now is the time."
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