Friday, December 07, 2007 RP fighting for crumbs in SEA Games
ONE day after the formal opening of the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Thailand it appears the Philippines might find itself relegated to the background despite its being the reigning overall champion in this biennial regional sports conclave.
Except for a previous 100-medal forecast made by Negrense commissioner Ritchie Garcia of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) top Philippine sports officials would not venture yet into making any early assessment of the country's chances going into the second day of hostilities.
Even before the games reeled off the Philippines was already predicted to struggle as 39 of the 114 gold medals won in Manila two years ago have already been considered lost due to the non-inclusion of some events and the absence of several gold medallists in the country's contingent.
Hardest hit is Wushu, one of the events considered as a rich source of gold for the Filipinos with only five events remaining out of the eleven won two years ago.
Athletics, where several Negrense standouts are campaigning including record holder in men's hammer throw Arneil Ferrera, long jumper Sheena Atilano, hurdler Joebert Delicano and long distance runner Julius Sermona, remains a rich source of gold medals. But officials, including Bacolod Representative Monico O. Puentevella who is chef de mission of the RP delegation, remain wary of the country's bid in boxing, taekwondo and other subjective sports.
Puentevella, who is president of the weightlifting association and first vice-president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) confirmed to Sun.Star Bacolod earlier that the country's sports officials could not help but be wary, citing the host country's long history of "hometown decisions."
Puentevella also cited attempts to manipulate boxing officiating here two years ago at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum, saying "If they did it right in front of us in our own home grounds, how much more now that they are hosting the competition in their own turf?"
Some of the Philippine gold medallists in 2005 who are not seeing action this time around are taekwondo jin Donald Geisler, gymnast Roel Ramirez, karaateka Gretchen malalad, billiards star Alex Pagulayan, Jr., as well as Bacolod boxer Joan Tipon who pocketed the bantamweight gold two years ago.
Among the returning multi-medallists are swimmer Miguel Molina, diver Sheila Mae Perez, rower Benjie Tolentino, archer Amaya Paz, tennis players Cecil Mamiit and Eric Taeno and pool stars Ronnie Alcano and Rubilen Amit. (HCV)
