Canlas sets realistic target of third in Thailand

Philippine chef de mission Raul Canlas believes a third-place finish in the Thailand Southeast Asian (SEA) Games slated this December is achievable.

“Give the overall title to Thailand. But we’ll go for third,” Canlas said when asked of his prediction during an appearance on the radio/television program Power and Play of former PBA commissioner and ex-Philippine Sports Commission chairman Noli Eala on Saturday.

His early outlook for the Dec. 9 to Dec. 20 event was made as Team Philippines will have about 1,700 athletes, coaches and officials after the deadline of submission by name last week.

Fifth last time

Around 900 athletes represented the country two years ago in Cambodia, where it placed fifth overall with 58 gold medals, while less than 700 went to Vietnam for the 2021 edition that was held the following year due to the pandemic, where the Philippines came out fourth with 52 golds.

In context, 1,100 athletes competed in 2019 when the country hosted the SEA Games and claimed the overall title with 149 golds.

“We had the dark times after the [overall in the 2005 SEA Games, also in the Philippines] until 2019, but we’re going for it. We’re going for it,” he added.

The SEA Games will spread into three cities and provinces, namely Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla.

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Team Philippines is set to have 1,200 athletes from 36 sports in Bangkok, 400 athletes from 20 sports in Chonburi and 200 athletes in seven sports in Songkhla.

Names like double Olympic gold winner Carlos Yulo and EJ Obiena are among those expected to do well in Thailand, though Yulo, who got two golds in Cambodia, was only allowed by the organizing committee to compete in one event.

To be anticipated heavily are the Gilas Pilipinas men’s team, which is still in the process of completing its squad under coach Norman Black, and the Alas Pilipinas men’s and women’s volleyball squads.