Top sports officials say sixth place still a ‘very successful campaign’
BANGKOK—Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission chair Patrick Gregorio stood side-by-side before reporters on Saturday to give an assessment of Team Philippines’ performance after the curtains fell in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games here.
With the Philippines finishing with 50 gold, 73 silver and 154 bronze medals, good for sixth in the medal tally, the contingent fell 10 gold short of Tolentino’s estimate and two places below Gregorio’s expectation.
Despite that, the two officials expressed contentment at how the Philippines fared during the 11-day competition held not just in this Thai capital, but in nearby Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan and the province of Chonburi.
“We felt that it was a very successful campaign for us,” Tolentino said. “We broke many records, we beat (them in) their games, we defended our games, in spite of the uphill battle, which is the most important thing.”
Among the notable victories the Philippines produced were the double golds in basketball, both at the expense of Thailand, and softball, baseball, Kayla Sanchez accounting for all of swimming’s three golds, tennis sensation Alex Eala, the women’s beach volleyball squad and pole vaulter EJ Obiena.
Obiena won one of five athletics golds, the most by any sport for the Philippines, followed by practical shooting with four, while triathlon, gymnastics and modern pentathlon equaled swimming’s output with three apiece.
Boxing, a traditional gold mine, was left, however, to lament on just having one gold won by Eumir Marcial after three fighters in Flint Jara, Jay Baricuatro and Aira Villegas lost their finals bouts.
Perceptions of “hometown decisions” loomed large in the squared circle, something that officials from the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines vehemently contested.
Boxing had 10 bronzes, including one from a frustrated Nesthy Petecio, while six other sports had double-digit outputs of the same number, with athletics having 31.
Team Philippines produced the most number of bronzes, which Tolentino and Gregorio consider as one of the silver linings.
“Those bronze medals are the grassroots and they will continue to improve because we gave them the opportunity to participate,” Gregorio said.
Thailand expectedly emerged as the overall champion with 233 golds, on top of 154 silvers and 112 bronzes.
Indonesia was way behind in second at 91-111-131, followed by Vietnam with 87-81-110.
