Sports officials paint rosy picture for 2024

MANILA, Philippines — Hot on the heels of what’s largely considered an outstanding year, Philippine sports enters 2024 – an Olympic year – with a lot of promise.

The challenge now is making sure the momentum continues and following through especially with the prestigious Paris Olympiad firing off in late July and early August.

Only four athletes are booked for trips to France by the end of 2023 with a long line of aspirants led by Tokyo Games champion weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz herself in hot pursuit of tickets up for grabs in qualifying tournaments in the next six months.

“We’re praying madagdagan (qualified athletes). All sports na pwede nating salihan sa qualifying,” said POC president Abraham Tolentino, who’s looking at weightlifting, boxing and golf to lead this spirited chase for Paris berths.

That memorable Olympiad in Japan in 2021 produced the Philippines’ best Olympics showing of one gold, two silver and one bronze medals. Aside from golden girl Diaz, boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam each won silver and Eumir Marcial took bronze.

And the hope is to match, if not surpass that tally in Paris, where the Philippines is also celebrating the centenary of its Olympics debut in the same city.

For pole vault ace EJ Obiena, Marcial and gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan, the task is to get the best possible preparation as they attempt to duplicate the golden moment Diaz enjoyed three years before.

“They (Paris-bound athletes) took a very short break after the Asian Games and are already training for the Olympics. Other athletes are still trying to qualify and may have one or two windows left,” said Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann.

All through these, Bachmann assured the government sports body’s backing.

“As far as support is concerned, PSC and POC are ready to support the athletes who will qualify,” he said.

Gilas Pilipinas, which pulled through with a dramatic triumph in the Asian Games and an emotional redemption gold in the Southeast Asian Games, looks to sustain the gains from last year in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in February and the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July.

First order of business for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is to decide on who will coach Gilas. Ginebra’s Tim Cone was tapped as interim in August after Chot Reyes stepped aside at the conclusion of the FIBA World Cup campaign. The PBA grand slam champion mentor steered the team to the Asiad mint in Hangzhou.

The PBA, which lent players, coaches and staff to Gilas in these big tournaments, said it would be glad to do so again for the next campaigns.