FERNANDEZ SA PH BETS: LABAN LANG!

HINIKAYAT ni national team chef de mission Ramon Fernandez ang mga nalalabing campaigner sa 31st Vietnam SEA Games na huwag mawalan ng pag-asa at binigyang-diin na posible pang mabawi ang third overall kung magtutulungan sila, tatlong araw na lamang ang nalalabi sa regional sports showcase.

“If we all work hard as one, we will win as one. This is not the time for us to be discouraged since reclaiming No. 3 is still very much possible. Our athletes can do it with God’s help,” wika ni Fernandez sa mga standard-bearer, na inulit ang matagumpay na slogan ng Team Philippines noong 2019.

Makaraang manatili sa third place sa loob ng ilang araw sa overall medal tally, ang bansa ay bumagsak sa fifth spot noong Miyerkoles ng gabi na may 40 gold, 57 silver at 78 bronze medals.

Gayunman, ang mga Pinoy ay nakadikit pa rin sa third-running Indonesia (42-61-57) at isang gold lamang ang kulang sa fourth placer Singapore (41-41-43), habang tangan ng host Vietnam ang top spot na may 151-91-83) kasunod ang Thailand sa second (62-67-95).

“These last three days will be critical. But having seen our athletes perform for the past few days, I am very sure our remaining national athletes will give their all-out effort since they will not want their flag and country down,” ani Fernandez.

Ayon kay Fernandez, na isa ring commissioner ng Philippine Sports Commission, marami pang sports kung saan maaaring magwagi ng medalya ang bansa tulad ng boxing, weightlifting, esports, shooting, judo, vovinam, at basketball.

“In weightlifting alone with Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Hidylin Diaz as the spearhead, we could bring home as many as four to five medals,” aniya.

Sa kabila ng  limitadong resources dahil sa COVID-19 pandemic, pinondohan ng government sports agency ang Philippine contingent ng P232 million para sa plane fare, uniforms, equipment, board and lodging, at allowances.

Kinabibilangan ito ng 641 Filipino athletes na sumasabak sa 38 sa 40 disciplines sa biennial meet na hinohost ng Vietnam sa ikalawang pagkakataon. CLYDE MARIANO