Philippine sports legends also turn to ‘puso’ rhetoric for SEAG

MANILA, Philippines – It was the mantra that catapulted Gilas Pilipinas to the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain and captivated the audience around the world.

A single word that has defined Filipino athletes’ spirits in international campaigns: "Puso."

According to Philippine sports legends Bong Coo and Stephen Fernandez, “puso” is important for athletes to have especially playing at home and in front of the local crowd.

During Tuesday’s pep rally for the Filipino athletes held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex for the upcoming 30th Southeast Asian Games to be held in the Philippines, Coo and Fernandez were asked to give inspiring messages to the athletes in the venue.

“It’s a great feeling just seeing the Philippine flag just being raised above other flags especially when you win gold. Aside from heart, the athletes should also have dedication, commitment and sacrifice,” said Coo, a legend in bowling.

Taekwondo Olympian Fernandez, part of the “Miracle of 91 at 91” squad that competed during the 1991 SEA Games in the Philippines, likewise reiterated his support for Filipino athletes.

Coo is the first Filipino athlete listed in the Guinness Book of World Records and is the most bemedaled Filipino athlete of all-time.

For his part, Fernandez competed in men’s bantamweight division of taekwondo — then a demonstration sport — during the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

The Philippines is hosting the SEA Games for the fourth time, the first three being in 1981, 1991 and 2005. The country was the overall champion in the latter edition.