BANGKOK – Philippine sports officials expressed satisfaction with the performance of the contingent in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games despite the challenges that the athletes faced in Thailand’s hosting.
The PH athletes collected 50 golds, 73 silvers, and 154 bronzes in the Thailand Games, good for sixth place in the medal tally. The placing was below the target of sports officials of at least fifth place in the Cambodia edition where the Philippines had 58-85-117.
Nevertheless, the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission said it was a successful campaign especially with the two groups working hand-in-hand in the preparation.
READ: Gilas Pilipinas leads Team PH's 9-gold haul in SEA Games Day 10
POC president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino said the campaign was successful despite incidents on and off the competition that dampened the hopes of some athletes to win more gold medals.
“Eto ‘yung fruit,” Tolentino said, referring to the collaboration with the PSC.
“Very successful para sa amin. We broke many records. We beat their games. ‘Yun ang importante doon. We beat their games. We defended our games,” he added.
PSC chairman Patrick "Pato" Gregorio echoed the sentiments of Tolentino, while also emphasized that most of the bronze medalists came from grassroots sports.
“We won in the competitions that mattered most… to them (Thailand),” said Gregorio. “Doon natin sila tinalo. And maski naman tayo nasorpresa. Pero that proves that we can excel in Olympic competitions. ‘Yun naman ang hangarin natin.”
“Sabi ko nga, napansin ko rin ‘yung 169 bronze medals. But at the same time, ‘yun na ‘yung grassroots natin. At magiimprove at magiimprove ‘yan because we gave them an opportunity to participate in the Southeast Asian Games.”
“Very happy ako kasi kung minsan, sa paligsahan, pataasan ng talon at palakpakan ‘yan eh. Saan ba tayo pinakamasaya? Siyempre doon sa dalawang basketball natin, ‘yung football natin, ‘yung beach volleyball natin, Alex Eala, EJ Obiena, softball, baseball, combat sports. Diyan tayo pinaka-happy. ‘Yan ang basehan ng satisfaction natin. Maligaya ba ‘yung 112 million Filipinos. ‘Yan ang basehan,” he continued.
Tolentino, however, rued the results of other sports that required judging and the Philippine triathlon team that got sick due to food poisoning which affected their performance and chances of winning gold medals.
“Of course, nandoon din ang basketball as predicted ‘in spite’… applicable to all sports ‘yun. It’s an uphill battle dahil sa ‘in spite.’ Pinakamarami tayong bronze eh. ‘Yun ‘yung in spite. Hindi kayo puwedeng mag-finals. Dapat hanggang bronze lang kayo,” said Tolentino.
“Ang daming magic. Nabalitaan niyo ‘yung sa triathlon. Gold-silver definitely ‘yung individual. Pero ganun ang nangyari. Kung ganun, dapat may sarili na tayong chef. Mahirap tumakbo ng ganun ang pakiramdam. Totoong nangyari ‘yung triathlete ‘yun. Two golds dapat ‘yun,” he continued.
“Masakit man sabihin, this is a brutal SEA Games. ‘Yun ang in spite pero hindi kinaya ng iba."
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