Peping: Filipinos outnumbered, not outfought

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco did not shout the battlecry or deliver the usual pep talk to push Filipino athletes to victory. He only encouraged them to put in their best, “double the effort because we are being watched.”

“Ninety million Filipinos will be watching us – the government and private sector will be watching – and we are expected to perform a miracle with a contingent that is a lot smaller than those of other countries like Indonesia and Thailand,” said Cojuangco during the send-off rites at the ULTRA in Pasig last weekend.

“They have the numbers but it is hard to explain this (why it’s difficult to beat Indonesia and Thailand) to the people,” he added. “We must deliver.”

The POC chief said defending champion Thailand is out to ensure its overall reign with a contingent of 3,000, of which 1,700 are athletes.

Host Indonesia is also going all out to regain the title it last held in 1997 with a delegation of 3,000, of which 1,600 are athletes.

Malaysia and Vietnam have also increased their delegation.

“By my calculation, our roster of 525 is the sixth largest among the competing athletes. Most of the people won’t put this into consideration, being concerned with our performance and medal production more, and we have to please them,” he said.

Team Philippines is seeking to do a much better showing than the last edition in Laos, where the Pinoys collared 38 gold, 35 silver and 51 bronze medals for fifth overall.

“I look at this as a turning point for Phl sports. For the first time, the POC and PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) are working as one and we know we’ll go far with this united effort. Also, the government has shown interest in sports, from the House of Representatives to the Senate to the Executive branch,” Cojuangco said.

He said a fine showing in the Indonesian conclave could further heighten such government interest, and even open the floodgates for more support.

“We have a situation wherein if ever, the additional support for our athletes, improvement of incentives such as pension for retired athletes and livelihood programs as return for the sacrifices they made for the honor of the Philippines, will be realized,” Cojuangco said.

On the other hand, a dismal performance could turn out detrimental.

“If we fare miserably here, there are people ready to pounce, people who from the start wouldn’t want to help sports,” he said.

In the end, Cojuangco is confident the underdog Pinoys will rise to the challenge.

“The challenge is to show that our 525 athletes can perform against the 1,700 of Thailand and 1,600 of Indonesia. I know that Filipinos get fired up especially when they’re the underdogs,” he said.

 “We are facing a big challenge in Indonesia. Our prospects could have been better if we had the numbers, but I know you can do it,” he said.

“We see a gold in every sport. I know we all want to be challenged. Magaling tayo pag dehado (We become strong when we are the underdogs).

He said an impressive performance in the SEAG would hopefully start an honest-to-goodness national training program anchored on a strong national sports center for every NSA.

“By national sports center, we mean permanent facilities for every NSA, qualified, competent coaches with support in terms of nutrition and medical (treatment),” he added.“Many are watching. Now is the time to magpakita (show our worth).”