Sea Games: Out to defy the odds

Posted by ReyFort Media

PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino gamely answered queries, clarifications, and comments in jest on a rather slow Monday afternoon.

When pressed about the Team Philippines’ medal hopes in the coming 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, Tolentino’s response could be half-meaningful or half-truthful.

Filipino bets face tall odds in the Dec. 9 to 20 Games to be played in the capital of Bangkok and cities of Songkhla and Chonburi—but that does not mean the Pinoy athletes will be pushovers, and they will not give the other countries a run for their money.

“Ma-match (natin), okay na iyon kasi alam mo naman ang Thailand, ang host. Walang events sina Carlos Yulo, iyong ibang medalists natin sa martial arts inalis din iyong weight categories,” Tolentino said during a press briefing for journalists covering the biennial meet at the MilkyWay Café in Makati.

“Ano pa rin iyan, uphill battle pa rin iyan. Pero we’ll try our best. Maraming surprises din iyan,” added the effervescent POC chief.

The Philippines wound up fifth overall with 58 gold, 85 silver, and 117 bronze medals in the last edition of the glamorous regional sports spectacle in Cambodia two years ago.

Without gymnastics star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos and younger brother Karl Eldrew Yulo who will skip the showcase due to the organizers’ new ruling of limiting combatants to one apparatus in the final of the individual events, Tolentino is banking on ace boxer Eumir Marcial and fellow pugilist Weljon Mindoro—and some potential winners he opted to keep to his chest—to deliver the goods.

“Hindi natin masabi pero iyong magkapatid na Yulo, wala. So, alin pa ano pa pinaka-marami, boxing. Definitely, si Eumir lalaban. Si Mindoro lalaban. Iyon ang mga nakatago natin,” the former Tagaytay City Mayor and Cavite Eight District Representative said. “Napakiusapan natin, para sa bansa, lalaban naman kahit nasa professional na sila.”

The media orientation also typified Tolentino and the POC’s commitment to give the athletes and their sports the best coverage.

“Nagkaroon tayo ng briefing with all media delegates para sa SEA Games kasi malaki-laki iyong coverage. Three provinces and districts, Songkhla, Chonburi, and Bangkok. Songkhla is a two-hour flight from Bangkok while Chonburi is two hours away by land,” Tolentino said. “So, kailangan ma-cover natin lahat iyon sa dami ng pinadala nating atleta, almost all sports, 1,600 athletes so coordinated ang galaw natin ng media.

“Pati, lahat pictures, stories and everything aside from the official broadcaster natin ng Cignal.”

For his parting shot, Tolentino said two disciplines close to the country’s people are worth watching for—Gilas Pilipinas’ title defense in the men’s cage tourney and the Alas Pilipinas men and women sides.

“Dapat lang (manalo ng gold). Defending champion tayo, dapat lang. Parang Asian Games iyan, talk of the town,” he said of the Filipino dribblers.

“Both men and women (volleyball). Nagkasundo naman na yata, pinahiram na ng PVL iyong players. So, malaki rin ang tiyansa natin sa volleyball.” (M. Jugado/ Malaya)