Time to deliver for Team Philipppines

MANILA, Philippines — Praying. Hoping. Wishing.

In a nutshell, this is the general feeling of the 115 million Filipinos, including the country’s top leaders from both sports and politics, about the country’s campaign in the Paris Olympics, which unfurls Friday in an expected grand rites in the French capital.

Of course, all of them are praying for success, hoping for glory and wishing for a gold medal for the 22 brave men and women who have embarked on an ultimate mission of making their own as well as everyone’s aspirations come true.

Leading the well-wishers was no less than President Marcos.

“As we speak, 28 (22) of our finest athletes are competing in Paris now for the glory of the Philippines,” said the Chief Executive during his State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa Monday.

“Let us wish them well and the best of luck,” he added.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino wasn’t shy showing his confidence and made a bold prediction.

“Definitely we will deliver. Definitely we will surpass (the output in) Tokyo,” said Tolentino, also the PhilCycling chief. “More than one gold. Bahala na kayo kung two, three or four golds, basta malalagpasan natin ‘yung sa Tokyo.”

He said he could feel the excitement of everyone leading up to Paris.

“We’re all excited. Iba nang level ito, training camp, iba na mood ng athletes, talagang level up lahat. Even the support, iba na support. With that, I would like to thank of course the PSC for supporting and other private businesses and sports partners Cignal and MVP Sports Foundation.”

“Since last year naman, the budget was P50 million for all the sports who are trying to qualify for the Olympics and continuing that budget all the way until this year,” said Philippine Sports Commission chair Richard Bachmann, who had to attend a UNESCO meeting in Krakow, Poland before going straight to Paris to join with the rest of the delegation.

“We funded the one-month training for the athletes (in Metz, France) and all the requirements of athletes and sports who qualified.”

Bachmann said they are leaving no stone unturned.

Asked for his prediction, Bachmann said he is just hoping for the best.

“I don’t like making bold predictions pero basta the PSC is supporting them 110 percent. Whatever they bring home, all we ask is just for them to give their best efforts and let’s see what happens,” he said.

Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas chief Monico Puentevella, for his part, is praying for a reprise of the “Miracle in Tokyo” three years ago when Hidilyn Diaz delivered the nation’s breakthrough Olympic gold in a performance for the ages that would forever remain in annals of history.

“Let God do the rest. No promises. As in Tokyo, we’ll give it our best,” said Puentevella, whose lifters in Paris are Vanessa Sarno, John Ceniza and Elreen Ando.

Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines secretary-general Marcus Manalo, meanwhile, is optimistic of the country’s chances to duplicate, if not eclipse, boxing’s Tokyo Games output of two silvers and a bronze.

“These five who qualify, we feel have a very good chance to podium and to go all the way,” said Manalo referring to Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam and Eumir Marcial, who copped two silvers and a bronze, respectively, in Tokyo, and Olympic debutants Aira Villegas and Hergie Bacyadan.

For Gymnastics Association of the Philippines head Cynthia Carrion, having four, not just one, gymnasts in Paris is already a feat in itself.

“Never in the history of Philippine gymnastics has this occurred,” said Carrion.

Everybody’s on the same page.