The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) will be sticking with its tried and tested formula when it faces the challenges of the brand-new year.

POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said the previous had been a success so they are planning to employ the same strategy in 2025.

Known for his hands-on approach, Tolentino had led the country to a remarkable performance last year.

None, however, is bigger than the triumph of gymnast Carlos Yulo in Paris in which he emerged as the first Filipino to win two gold medals in the Summer Olympics.

Adding to Yulo’s double gold is the bronze medals of boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas that underscored the country’s most successful Olympic participation ever.

Tolentino said the same strategy will be used as they look forward to another fruitful participation in the next Olympics in Los Angeles.

“The template’s been tried, tested and proven twice over,” said Tolentino, who is the first POC chief to have arranged a one-month training camp to prepare the Filipino Olympians for the tough battles ahead.

‘Work starts in earnest.’

“For this coming year, the ingredients are there, making the path to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 clearer and achievable.”

The coming year will greatly test the resolve of Filipino athletes.

The 9th Asian Winter Games will roll off in February followed by the postponed Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Jeddah at a still undetermined date.

But the biggest event will be the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December, where Filipino athletes will be marching with a huge target on their backs after emerging as the best-performing Southeast Asian squad in the recent Summer Games.

In the previous SEA Games in Cambodia two years ago, the Filipinos made history as they emerged with 58 gold medals — the highest ever in a biennial meet that was held outside the country.

Tolentino knows that the coming SEA Games will not be easy but he remains confident over the ability and determination of the national athletes.

“That will be a tough SEA Games, but I’m confident our athletes, our national sports associations will deliver in Thailand,” Tolentino said, adding that the members of the new set of POC executive board will hit the ground running as they start to assume their four-year term.

“Work starts in earnest,” he said.