Officials see at least 25 SEAG golds this time

Philippine Sports Association Chairman Richie Garcia. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

AFTER grabbing 36 gold medals with 512 athletes two years ago, sports officials now predict at least 25 golds from the 208-strong Philippine contingent in the Burma (Myanmar) Southeast Asian Games this December.

Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia and chef de mission Jeff Tamayo both said the bulk of the medals would come from the combat sports of taekwondo, boxing, wushu and wrestling, as well as weightlifting, sailing, athletics and men’s basketball.

“They (joint Philippine Olympic Committee-PSC task force officials) are sure of 25 gold medals,” said Garcia. “But overall, they are looking at the prospect of winning maybe about 35 to 40 golds since there are other sports that could help increase production.”

The Philippines will compete in 26 sports for the 27th SEA Games from Dec. 11 to 22 in three key cities in Myanmar.

Athletics—led by London Olympian Rene Herrera (steeplechase), hammer thrower Arniel Ferrera, long jumper Henry Dagmil and 110-meter hurdler Eric Cray—has the largest number of entries at 24.

Taekwondo has 18 entries, including the world-class men’s and women’s poomsae teams. Expectations are also high for cycling (16 athletes), boxing (10), chess (9) and karatedo (9) to deliver.

Of the 208 athletes, Tamayo said 185 are already assured of slots in the delegation while 23 others from women’s basketball (12), wushu (7), judo (3) and shooting (1) still have to prove themselves in trials and  qualifying meets scheduled before the games.

Tamayo also confirmed the choice of Jason Balabal as flag-bearer of the delegation.