Weightlifting chief on 2019 SEAG: Let's go for broke

MANILA, Philippines – Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas head Monico Puentevella is thinking a couple of notches higher than Philippine Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas regarding the country’s goal in the 2019 Southeast Games.

Vargas, in his fourth month as POC chief, said he’d be happy if the Philippines, sixth overall in the 2015 SEA Games in Malaysia, could barge into the top three when it hosts the event next year.

But Vargas also said that he’d be happier if the country emerges on top.

Puentevella, however, said the Philippines, as host, should aim higher than a top three finish, considering that when it last hosted the SEA Games in 2005 it won the overall title.

“We are going to spend a lot of money. And we are here in our territory. And we cannot be number one? We’ve done it before,” said Puentevella.

“How can we not do it again?” added the outspoken former POC chairman.

Puentevella said he will raise his point in the next POC general assembly in July, and call upon his fellow sports leaders to raise the bar of expectations.

“I will bring this up. If we are going to spend a lot of money in our homecourt, why should we not be number one?” said the former congressman from Bacolod.

A known ally of sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan, Puentevella said the Philippines should leave no stone unturned making sure it wins the overall title.

Hosting the SEA Games comes every 14 years for the Philippines, from 1991 to 2005 and then 2019, and the country should not waste the opportunity.

“Let’s go for broke. We did it before,” said Puentevella.

In 2005, the Philippines bagged 112 of the 444 gold medals staked, followed by Thailand with 87, Vietnam 71, Malaysia 61, Indonesia 50 and Singapore 42.

But the Philippines has lagged behind in recent years, dropping to as low as seventh. In 2015, it came in sixth overall with just 29 gold medals.