Garcia: PH Asiad bets lack winning drive

With the high level of competition in the Asian Games, the Philippines should draw up future plans based on the performances of its Southeast Asian neighbors.

Team Philippines finished 22nd overall in the just-concluded 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea and seventh among SEA countries, the same ranking by the Filipinos in the SEA Games last year in Burma (Myanmar).

“We had athletes finishing fourth or fifth and athletes who are capable of winning the gold but weren’t able to,” said Philippine chef de mission Richie Garcia.

“Maybe a little more push and they could have won those medals.”

Thailand, the defending SEAG champion, captured four gold medals in sepak takraw, two in cycling and one each from sailing, taekwondo, golf, bowling, tennis and boxing. The Thais placed sixth among 44 countries with a 12-7-28 gold-silver-bronze tally.

Malaysia was a far second among Southeast Asian nations with five golds while Singapore also wound up with five golds but had lesser silvers (6) and bronzes (13). The Malaysians compiled 14 silver and 14 bronze medals.

Indonesia (4-5-11) picked up gold medals in badminton (2), athletics (1) and wushu (1).

Burma scored two golds in sepak takraw for 2-1-1 while Vietnam went 1-10-25.