RP no chance of winning overall crown in Laos SEAG, says GTK

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) sports and rules committee chair Go Teng Kok downplayed the country’s chances of winning the overall title in the 25th Laos Southeast Asian Games. Go said the Philippines, which will be sending close to 400 strong delegation in the December 9 to 18 SEA Games, is good enough for at least a third place finish.

Go, who also is the special assistant to POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr. and also the athletics chief, made the statement to fellow National Sports Associations officials who graced Wednesday's POC General Assembly at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City. "They agreed (with me) when I made my report on our chances to the Laos SEA Games by their applause," said Go in an interview after the meeting. Based on his one-on-on meetings with officials and coaches, Go came out with a list of 280 athletes who will compete in 24 sports disciplines. Laos organizers has calendared 25 sports discipline for the 25th edition of the biennial meet but the Philippines will not see action in football. Swimming will have the biggest number of athletes with 39 – made up of 20 swimmers, six divers and 13 water polo players. Athletics came in next with 21 athletes while shooting, taekwondo and pencak silat will have 16 each. Comparing the RP athletes’ performance against their SEAG rivals, Go predicted that the nationals can win 50 to 60 gold medals which will secure third place overall. "Thailand and Vietnam will be fighting for the first and second place because the list of events favors them. The battle for third place will be among Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia but I firmly believe based on my studies on data we got that 50 to 60 gold medals is enough to bag third place," said Go. The prediction counters the earlier statement made Cojuangco who said that the country can win at least 100 gold medals and will be contending for the overall title. The 50 to 60 gold medal haul however is higher compared to the 20 gold medal forecast made by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Harry Angping. "Definitely we will win more than 20. Athletics, swimming and billiards can deliver more than 20 gold medals and if other NSAs can chip in two gold medals each, we can easily reach 50 gold medals," added Go. Cojuangco failed to comment on Go’s prediction. The Philippines won its first ever SEAG overall title when the country hosted the 2005 edition. But jubilation turned to grief two years after as the 620-strong team came in sixth place overall for the nation's worst showing ever with 42 gold, 96 silver and 91 bronze medals. – GMANews.TV