Bambol expects more surprises

MANILA, Philippines — POC president Mayor Bambol Tolentino is optimistic that the Philippines will deliver a hefty haul of more gold medals with surprises to unravel before the SEA Games end in Cambodia. “Mataas ang morale,” he said. “We expected to be in the position we’re in at this stage and hopefully, we sustain it. God willing, we could maintain fourth place and if we land third, even better. Marami pa tayong paghuhugutan ng medalya. Swimming, e-sports, athletics, weightlifting, kickboxing, boxing, pencak silat. Ang PATAFA, ‘di pa nilalabas lahat.”

Tolentino said there were pleasant surprises and unfortunate setbacks along the way. “Sa obstacle course, sabi ko kay Atty. Al (Agra) no mercy, todo na. Sa kun bokator, buti na lang sinalihan natin. We just learned it. We invited an expert from Cambodia to do a seminar in Manila for five days. Tapos, we were invited to a competition at ang pinadala natin Team B still nanalo ng two golds. Kaya sa SEA Games, we got two gold, six silver and eight bronze. Dapat nga three gold at dalawang beses nabilangan yung kalaban natin at bugbog pero nanalo pa rin. Sa karate, tumabla si Junna (Tsukii) sa final, tapos the four judges tabla pa rin kaya the referee decided. Sa vovinam, tabla sa final pero ayaw ng lumaban yung Vietnam. Lahat ng judges taga Vietnam kaya nagbunotan na lang kung sino nanalo.”

Regarding the wanton use of naturalized athletes by the host country, Tolentino said he warned the NSAs, particularly basketball, about it since last year. “Hosts have the prerogative at gagawa at gagawa ng paraan para manalo,” he said. “They naturalized Chinese for wushu, Iranians for wrestling, French for triathlon, eight Pakistanis for cricket and those Americans for basketball. I proposed a new order of sports in future SEA Games but ‘di napagusapan residency and the passport only rule. It’s part of compromise. Nilaban natin ang obstacle course at arnis. Dami natin nahingi. Alangan naman mag-boycott tayo or protest. Why not just go with the flow? Kung kaya nila mag-naturalize ng lima sa basketball, tayo rin kaya at ang daming imports diyan.”

Tolentino said the lesson to learn is never to belittle the SEA Games. “I kept reminding our NSAs, huwag natin maliitin ang SEA Games,” he said. “In women’s football, we missed five players who were with their clubs in Europe. Sana at least two or three nakalaro. In men’s volleyball, pinaglaban natin pero kulang pa at mga bagong players.”