Manila, Philippines - Once again, the Philippines can pin its hopes on the centerpiece sport of athletics when the 26th Southeast Asian Games is held in Indonesia in November.
The Filipino track bets have delivered the most number of gold medals for the country in the recent staging of the Games, and there won’t be much of a difference this time.
The Philippines, according to Philippine Track and Field Association president Go Teng Kok, can rely on the seven athletes who won the gold medals in Laos in 2009.
They are Rene Herrera in the 3000-m steeplechase, Eduardo Buenavista in men’s marathon, Arniel Ferreira in hammer throw, Danilo Fresnido in javelin; and Joan Banayag in women’s marathon, Marestella Torres in long jump and Rosie Villarito in javelin.
These athletes will be back to defend their titles in Indonesia, and there’s a very strong chance that they will come home with the gold medal once more.
“These are measurable sports and just by looking at their current performance and those of their opponents, they are the best bets in their respective events,” said Go.
The influential sports leader said he is counting on two more junior athletes, who can pull off a surprise in the coming SEA Games.
“These two young athletes are among the 24 athletes under our junior development program,” he said.
“I’m looking at seven gold medals in this year’s SEA Games, and if we get lucky, we can get as many as nine,” added Go.
The Philippines, which won the overall SEA Games title in 2005, slipped to sixth in 2007 in Thailand and then fifth in 2009 in Laos.
In Manila, athletics delivered nine gold, 10 silver and seven bronze medals for the Philippines, and in Thailand it came up with a haul of 5-7-9. Two years ago, it emerged as the winningest sport for the Philippines once more with 7-3-4.
“We expect to do the same this year,” said Go.