HANOI – Halfway through the 31st Southeast Asian Games here, National Team chef de mission Ramon Fernandez is optimistic the Philippines will likely finish third overall in the sporting competition.
As of Tuesday afternoon. Wednesday, May 17, the Philippines has already bagged 30 golds, 34 silvers and 50 bronzes for a total of 114 medal harvest. The country remains in a striking distance with Thailand at No. 2 (with a 34-35-50 medal haul, while host Vietnam pacing the derby with an 83-50-55medal harvest.
“We are halfway through the Games, and we are in the top three of the medal standings, thank God. We are well within our target of finishing at least third overall. We just have to maintain our performance until the end,” Fernandez said
Despite limited resources and training that was hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic back home, the Filipino campaigners are putting up a gallant stand, delivering their biggest haul thus far the other day of 10 gold medals.
Dancesport and gymnastics accounted for more than half of the total number of medals won. Among the more prominent gold harvesters were Jean Mischa Aranar and Ana Nualla, Carlos Edriel Yulo, Chloe Isleta and Merwin Tan.
Fernandez who is also a commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission, said there are still several sports “where our athletes can win medals, and hopefully they can deliver.”