Garcia eyes 4th place finish in 2015 SEAG

After the debacle Team Philippines suffered in the recent Incheon Asian Games, Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia is now moving toward the direction of the 2015 Southeast Asian Games.

Garcia said Tuesday the country would seek redemption in the biennial meet scheduled in June in Singapore with no less than a fourth-place performance in mind.

“There’s only eight months left to prepare for the next SEA Games. We have to focus and really push for a better performance of at least No. 3 or No. 4,” said Garcia during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at Shakey’s Malate backed by Accel and Pagcor.

The Philippines finished seventh among its Southeast Asian neighbors in the Asian Games, the same ranking it had in the 2013 SEA Games in Burma.

It was the lowest finish for Filipino athletes in the SEA Games after winning the overall title as hosts in 2005.

“It can’t be sixth or seventh. We cannot accept this,” said Garcia, the country’s chef de mission in the Asiad, where Filipino athletes brought home one gold, three silver and 11 bronze medals. BMX racer Daniel Caluag captured the lone gold for the Philippines.

It was off the initial target of seven gold medals.

Malacañang expressed dismay over the results as Communications Sec. Sonny Coloma reiterated President Aquino’s concept of focusing in sports where Filipinos could reign.

“I share the sentiment of Malacañang. I’m sure they are disappointed and we are all disappointed. We will continue with the prioritization program that was personally brought up by the President,” said Garcia.