MANILA – Following their overall championship in the 30th edition of the Southeast Asian Games here, Filipino athletes are targeting at least a top three finish in the 2021 edition in Hanoi, Vietnam slated Nov. 21 to Dec. 2.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said finishing on top is a modest goal since a back-to-back overall title is hard.
“Well talagang mahirap po ‘yan, mga kasama, mahirap pong kunin ‘yan. Subalit inaasam po natin na, sana, top 3,” Tolentino said during an appearance on the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum.
According to Tolentino, just like what the country did in 2019, he expects Vietnam to be even better in hosting the SEA Games in November.
Tolentino further admitted that Filipino athletes have not trained for the SEA Games due to restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most national team athletes were inactive for the bulk of 2020, settling for virtual training while their competitions were postponed or cancelled entirely. A few who were abroad – particularly Olympic-bound athletes Carlos Yulo and EJ Obiena – kept training, but also had less than ideal schedules.
The national boxing, taekwondo and karate teams will hold a training camp in a bubble at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna starting this weekend, but other teams are still waiting for a go-signal to begin training in person again.
“Iilan pa lang ang pinayagan,” said Tolentino. “Ang mga nag-i-start pa lang ‘yung mga nasa abroad na qualified sa Tokyo (Olympics).”
“Hindi pa natin dini-discuss ‘yung all teams, all delegates going to Southeast Asian Games. Yes, we still have the time, but ‘yung mga kalaban natin, katunggali natin sa ibang bansa, I think nag-i-start na sila,” he added./PN
