Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard "Dickie" Bachmann tipped his hats off to Filipino athletes following their impressive performance in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

In a statement, the PSC chief stressed that he is proud of the Filipino athletes after they formally surpassed their production in the previous biennial meet in Hanoi.

At press time, the Filipinos already have 55 gold medals as athletes of men's basketball, wrestling, arnis, weightlifting and kickboxing served as mop-up crew that finished off what the jiu-jitsu fighters, obstacle racers, boxers gymnasts, tracksters and swimmers have started.

Bachmann, who approved the P250-million budget that the PSC allotted for the country's training and participation for the Games, said he personally witnessed how the athletes worked hard to power the country to a glorious finish.   Turn to page D23

"I am proud of our athletes," Bachmann said from the Cambodian capital on Tuesday.

"I saw how they worked hard — with my own eyes — while preparing for the games and when they did battle in Cambodia."

"Each moment our flag was raised in honor of a win was a proud moment for every Filipino."

Only in his fourth month as chairman of the PSC and Bachmann already saw first-hand how Filipino athletes train and compete in international competitions as he visited different training sessions of national teams in his first few weeks of office.