Late heroics may secure 4th for RP

KUALA LUMPUR – As the Philippines achieved its first target of avoiding its measly output in Brunei two years ago with a seven-gold haul on Thursday, PSC-POC task force chair Richie Garcia said that a good finishing kick would hopefully keep them glued at fourth place in the 21st Southeast Asian Games here.

Garcia said that "he had no doubt" the 19-gold effort in Brunei could be bettered and with still a lot of medal potentials still out in the field, chances are the country would be able to finish behind traditional powers Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

More winning efforts, according to Garcia, are expected from the fancied men’s basketball squad, bowling, tennis, golf, track and field and boxing.

"The next two days will be crucial in our neck-and-neck fight with Vietnam. Hopefully, some other teams will deliver surprise hits for the contingent," said Garcia as he assessed the situation with PSC chair Butch Tuason at the Crown Princess Hotel.

The pool of coaches had earlier made a fearless forecast of at least 40 golds, which the PSC felt was "attainable" but a series of setbacks in boxing dealt a big blow to it. Only bantamweight Arlan Lerio has made it to the finals so far.

The bowling squad, however, has risen to the occasion and their four-gold haul is the best news for the country. With their morale boosted, local bets are also tipped to contend for the remaining two golds in the Masters competition.

The once-sleeping track and field team has also made a big impact through sensational steeplechaser Eduardo Buenavista, Ernie Candelario (men’s 400m) and Fidel Gallenero (decathlon).

Garcia added that Juvic Pagunsan’s 9-stroke victory in the men’s individual of golf should inspire his teammates to give him the backup in their quest for the team gold along with the hard luck ladies squad.

"It was an enormous feat for Juvic considering that he has not among the seeded bets when the play began. For us though, he was in the right form because he went to Malaysia coming off a rousing 11-under effort in the Canlubang Open," he said.

The men’s and ladies’ golf teams fight for the gold starting tomorrow.