By REYNALD MAGALLON
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino is seeing an uphill battle for Team Philippines to just match – more so surpass – its medal haul in the previous edition of the biennial meet.
Tolentino isn’t setting the bar too high for Team Philippines especially with the limitations set by the organizing committee on some sports as well as the removal of some weight classes in the combat sports.
The POC chief, though, assured that the country, which will have its biggest delegation of 1600 athletes, will put its best foot forward in the two-week long competitions.
“Ma-match lang natin okay na iyon eh kasi alam mo naman yung Thailand yung host. Walang events sina Carlos Yulo. Yung ibang medalist natin ng martial arts inalis din yung mga weight categories,” said Tolentino on Monday, Nov. 17
“Uphill battle pa rin yan pero we will try our best.”
The Philippines garnered 58 golds, 86 silvers and 116 bronzes in the previous edition in Phnom Penh to finish fifth behind Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and host country Cambodia.
And with some sports – that are historically a gold mine for the Philippine team – facing limitations, Tolentino is hopeful that other sports such as boxing can make up for it.
Eumir Marcial, according to Tolentino, is making his return to the national team while fellow undefeated boxer Weljon Mindoro is also seeing action.
“Di natin masabi pero magkapatid na Yulo wala eh. Ano ba yung marami, boxing. Si Eumir lalaro, si Mindoro lalaro,” said Tolentino.
“Napakiusapan natin na para sa bansa, lumaban naman kahit nasa professional na sila,” he added.
Basketball, of course, will be the most precious of all the golds while Tolentino is hopeful that the volleyball can ride the momentum of its recent performances and deliver medals for Team Philippines
“Defending champion tayo so dapat lang (gold),” Tolentino said of Gilas. “Parang Asian Games iyan. Iyan ang talk of the town.”
