By Gabriela Baron
The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) lauded Filipino athletes who took home medals in their respective fields in the recent Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.
“The country may have relinquished the overall championship, but our athletes were a ‘fighting team’ in Vietnam,” POC President Ambraham “Bambol” Tolentino said.
The country finished fourth in the medal race with 52 gold, 79 silver, and 105 bronze medals.
Host country Vietnam topped the medal table with 204 gold, 121 silvers, and 115 bronze medals in the biennial meet.
“Everyone knew beforehand that Vietnam will relentlessly dominate the games but still, our athletes still held their ground despite limitations in their training and preparations because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Tolentino said.
“And to honor and recognize the athletes, the POC is rewarding them with incentives,” he added.
Tolentino said he is “hopeful” that Filipino athletes will remain in “gold medal form” in the 32th SEA Games in Cambodia in May 2023. – ag
