PSC chair Butch Ramirez lauds Team Philippines for job well done

MANILA, Philippines — With still a few days left before the curtain falls on the 18th Asian Games, Philippine Sports Commission chair Butch Ramirez yesterday said the Filipino athletes have already accomplished their mission with their haul of three gold medals.

“We went into the Asian Games just hoping to equal our 2014 performance,” said Ramirez. “Now, we have surpassed our goal.”

Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz delivered the first gold in weightlifting then golfers Yuka Saso, Bianca Pagdanganan and Lois Kaye Go posted an incredible comeback to sweep the two golds in women’s golf.

The Pinoy bets also claimed 12 bronze medals from pencak silat (three), taekwondo (three), wushu (two), golf (one), ju-jitsu (one) and karate (one), putting the Philippines at No. 19 on the medal tally just before sundown in Jakarta Tuesday.

The Asian Games end on Sunday.

The success in Jakarta, according to Ramirez, is not only credited to the PSC but to all stakeholders.

“The PSC does not claim solo credit for this,” he said. “ This is a combined effort of all parties involved in ensuring that our athletes present their best form in the competitions.”

Ramirez could not help but praise all the athletes, even those who did not win a medal, who have prepared hard for the Games.

“I see our athletes everyday.  They live detached from their families, train everyday and subject their bodies to punishing exertions,” he said. “As a former coach, I appreciate an athlete beyond the person we see on the mat, on the ring, on the court.”

He added: “Their journey is not easy.  So while we celebrate the winners, let us also congratulate the others because whether they win or not, it is the journey that counts.”

Diaz’s gold from weightlifting was expected. But Saso and company’s accomplishment was the surprise for the Philippine delegation.

“That was a very welcome surprise! New national athletes,” Ramirez said. “They give us hope for the future of sports in our country.”

With a 3-0-12 gold-silver-bronze tally, the Philippine stood at sixth among Southeast Asian countries, a spot it has occupied in the SEA Games. Indonesia, as host, has racked up 24 golds at No. 4, with Thailand running eighth with nine golds, Malaysia 13th with four and Singapore 16th also with three golds but with four silvers.

Vietnam and Cambodia each have two golds at Nos. 20 and 24th, respectively. Laos is also on the board with two silver and two bronze medals and Myanmar with two bronzes.