AFTER SEAG DOMINATION, BAMBOL WANTS OLYMPIC GOLD
After dominating the fight in the 30th Southeast Asian Games that knocked out the opposition, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol’’ Tolentino is counting on Filipino athletes to pull off another surprise act in the Olympics.
“I am overwhelmed by the performance of our athletes in the SEA Games. They showed us that with proper support and encouragement, they will deliver,’’ said Tolentino, who turned over the SEA Games hosting rights to Vietnam on Wednesday during the closing ceremony.
The Philippines collected 149 gold medals, 117 silvers and 121 bronzes in 12 days of action in 56 sports to capture the overall title, a stunning achievement that Tolentino hopes would trickle into the new year when Filipino athletes brace for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“I see better things ahead for Philippine sports. And the POC will partner with both government and the private sectors to ensure this will indeed happen,’’ Tolentino said. “Our next stop, the Olympics!’’
Gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo and pole vaulter EJ Obiena already bagged slots to the Summer Games, while Rio de Janeiro silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, skateboarder Margielyn Didal, judoka Kiyomi Watanabe are likewise expected to qualify.
They all claimed the gold medal in their respective disciplines with the 19-year-old Yulo winding up with the most medals among Filipino athletes with two golds and five silvers in men’s artistic gymnastics.
“I am proud that they proved that my faith in them was well-placed. But this is just the beginning. My wish is to get that elusive gold medal in the Olympics,’’ said Tolentino, also a congressman from Cavite and Philcycling president.
The Philippines has never won a gold medal in the quadrennial global Games with Diaz and boxer Mansueto “Onyok’’ Velasco falling just short of grabbing the precious commodity in 2016 Rio De Janeiro and 1996 Atlanta.