RP morale high despite early losses — Ramirez

The absence of a medal or the failure to win the gold after the first four days of competition has not seriously affected the morale of the Filipino athletes who remain in contention in the 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.

This was the statement issued from Doha by Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez who remained confident that the Filipino athletes can either match or surpass its three-gold haul in the 2002 Busan Asian Games.

"The level of competition here in Doha is very, very high." said the PSC chief during an overseas call while he was on his way to the beach volleyball venue where RP’s Heidi Ilustre and Diane Pascua were eyeing a quarterfinals slot.

"Our beach volleyball team of Heidi and Diane are doing very good considering that they have been up against the Chinese, who are the current world champions," said the PSC chief who also cited the tennis players and the rowers for putting up a gallant stand.

The Filipino bowlers, one of the brightest medal hopes, are still fighting it out for medals in at least three more events after failing to land any in the men’s and women’s singles and doubles.

"But just the same, the level of confidence of the Filipino athletes, including those who have yet to see action, is high," added Ramirez, the chef de mission of the RP contingent in the Games that are to end on Dec. 15.

While some of the RP athletes are probably on their way back home, there are still those who have yet to plunge into action.

"It’s been quite difficult in the initial days. But our boxing team is doing very good also with initial wins by (Violito) Payla and (Anthony) Marcial. I’m really hoping that boxing can win a gold and a silver here in the Asian Games," Ramirez added.

Filipino bets in chess, cycling, gymnastics, judo and shooting have struggled in the opening days of the competition. Some of these athletes, in fact, are expected to be back in the Philippines starting today.

"I’m hoping that we can win one medal in the first week, and probably two to three in the second week,"said the RP chef de mission.