ATHLETES from Baguio City are all fired up to retain or hopefully improved their medal haul for the Philippine National Games.

With a 40-25-21 medal haul in 2016, Summer Capital bets are hoping to withstand the tough weeklong tournament organized by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission slated in Cebu City.

Baguio City Sports Coordinator Gaundecio Gonzales said some 210 athletes and officials will be on its way to Cebu on May 18 prior to the start of the games.

“We do not want to assume on how many medals we will be winning, but hopefully our athletes will still be in the top three,” said Gonzales.

Members of the Philippine National Team dominated the 2016 contest in Lingayen, Pangasinan hauling 178 gold medals, 72 silver and 49 bronze while Cebu City placed third with 31-32-51.

Gonzales added they are pinning hopes on archery, arnis, athletics, boxing, chess, cycling, judo, taekwondo, karatedo, sepak takraw, triathlon and weightlifting for the medal haul.

The PNG will be co-hosted by the Province of Cebu and Cebu City from May 19 to 25 with 21 sporting events on tap.

It will also showcase 12 playing venues around Naga City, Tabuelan, Danao City, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City.

The PNG, which is open to athletes 16 years old and above, will feature close to 8,500 participants, 12 venues and 22 sports.

These sports are archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, boxing, chess, cycling, dancesport, judo, karatedo, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, weightlifting, volleyball indoor and outdoor, gymnastics and rugby football.

Incentives will also be given to the winning athletes.