MANILA, Philippines - If things fall into their proper places, the Philippines may end up in a close battle for fifth place in the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.
And with a little more luck, it can even land a notch higher than that.
“We can be in a battle for fifth place with Singapore and Myanmar,” said chef-de-mission Julian Camacho before he left Manila the other day.
Camacho is now in Singapore attending the delegation registration meetings (DRM).
The formal sendoff for the 466 Filipino athletes and 189 officials is set Wednesday at Philsports Arena. President Aquino and Vice President Jejomar Binay have been invited to attend.
Looking at the numbers of the recent SEA Games, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam will most likely crowd each other at the top of the medal standings.
In the last five editions of the biennial competition, Thailand has emerged overall champion three times, winning a total of 572 gold medals for an average of 114.4 per meet.
Indonesia, always a force to reckon with in the SEA Games, has the second-highest number of gold medals won since 2005 with 396 for an average of 79.2
Vietnam is third with 388 golds since 2005 for a norm of 77.6.
Camacho admitted that it’s almost impossible to break into the Top 3 of this year’s Games that will offer 402 gold medals from June 5 to 16.
The Philippines won the overall title in 2005 as host, bagging 113 gold medals, followed by Thailand with 87 and Vietnam with 71.
But since then, the Philippines has fallen into a slump, finishing sixth in 2007, fifth in 2009, back to sixth in 2011 and then seventh in 2013.
Seventh place is the lowest finish for the Philippines in SEA Games history.
“We are confident we will do better this time,” said Camacho.
In the last four SEA Games, the Philippines’ gold medal haul has dropped to an average of 36 per edition, just behind Singapore’s 38 and Malaysia’s 52.
Based on average of gold medals won since 2005, the Philippines is still in fifth place with 51.4, behind Thailand (114.4), Indonesia (79.2), Vietnam (77.6) and Malaysia (54.2).
Singapore is in sixth with 38.8 followed by Myanmar with 29.0.
Camacho said if the Philippines can win at least 50 gold medals in Singapore, then there’s a good chance of landing in fifth place.
“Singapore is also targeting 50 gold medals. If we win as many gold medals, we can surpass Myanmar for sixth and then battle Singapore or Malaysia for fifth,” he said.
“Pag sinuwerte baka fourth place pa (if we get lucky we can even finish fourth),” said Camacho.
Source: Abac Cordero of Philippine Star
