MANILA -- The Philippines is sending a huge delegation of 1,600 athletes to the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December, but the chief of the country's Olympic committee is keeping his expectations modest.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino said on Monday that many categories where Filipino athletes can win medals have been removed from the program.
"Lahat ng medalist natin, tinanggal na 'yung event," said Tolentino. "[In] martial arts, inalis na 'yung mga weight category."
The SEA Games' sports program is flexible, with the host nation allowed to introduce other sports that are not traditionally seen in other regional or global competitions. They can also adjust the events and categories within each sport.
In 2023, host Cambodia included sports such as Kun Bokator and Teqball. In 2019, the Philippines included the country's traditional martial art of arnis in the program, with Filipino athletes delivering 14 golds.
Given the changes that Thailand made in the SEA Games sports program, Tolentino said he will be satisfied if Team Philippines can maintain its standing from the previous edition of the multi-sport event.
The Philippines finished fifth in Cambodia in 2023, with 58 gold medals, 85 silvers, and 117 bronzes.
"To maintain the last [ranking], okay na 'yun. To maintain the last. Kasi nga, ngayon pa lang, inalis na lahat ng potential golds natin," said Tolentino. "Martial arts, marami. Marami din tayong potential doon. So mabigat talaga."
It has already been confirmed that Team Philippines will be without its "Golden Boy," gymnast Carlos Yulo, in Thailand, after the host nation introduced a new restriction that limits competitors to just one apparatus in the final of individual events.
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Yulo, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, decided not to compete in the SEA Games, instead placing his faith in other Filipino gymnasts. He had won a whopping five gold medals in the 2021 SEA Games in Vietnam, but was restricted to two apparatus in Cambodia 2023.
Several of the country's top cue artists will not see action in the SEA Games as well.
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Tolentino is still optimistic that Filipino athletes will deliver, particularly in team sports.
"Hopefully, makabawi doon sa mga team [sports] na bago -- floorball, ice hockey, ice skating," he said.
The 33rd SEA Games will take place in Thailand from December 9 to 20.