SEAG volleyball semis losers to get bronze medals

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ chances of emerging with a medal in the women’s volleyball competition of the 30th Southeast Asian Games is getting clear.

Philippine Superliga president Ian Laurel confirmed that the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) had formally approved their request of giving bronze medals to the third and fourth-placers.

Laurel said Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. (LVPI) president Peter Cayco made the request and it was immediately approved by the organizing body.

Giving bronze medals to the losing semifinalists is nothing new.

It was first done in the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore in 2015, but the Philippine women’s volleyball team failed to clinch it as it marked the first time for them to see action in the biennial meet after a decade of absence.

“Giving two bronze medals was already approved,” Laurel said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum recently.

“The SEA Games this year is in our favor because once you reach top four, you will automatically get a bronze medal.”

Laurel explained that as host country, the Filipinos have the option to do that as well as decide on which pool to join.

Drawing of lots has yet to be done, but the Philippines is tipped to join Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore and Timor Leste to get a good chance of advancing to the next round.

Also joining are champion Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.

“Being the host country, it’s our privilege to choose our pool where we feel that we have better chances of winning,” he said, adding that the federation’s target of emerging with a bronze medal is on the right track.

“We will exercise that option and do everything to come up with a podium finish.”

LVPI is set to announce the final composition of the men’s and women’s teams around October.