Bambol predicts SEAG surprises

TAGAYTAY CITY — The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) sees some athletes switching sports for the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games this December in Thailand to help boost their medal campaign.

POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino told DAILY TRIBUNE that certain athletes whose sports or categories were excluded could join similar events.

The Philippines finished with 58 gold medal, 85 silver medals, and 117 bronze medals in 2023 SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

“The sports are still there but the events have been postponed. Categories in sports like gymnastics and martial arts have been reduced,” Tolentino said.

“There are a lot of changes. We also have a lot of surprises.”

Athletes such as Kiyomi Watanabe of judo opted not to compete in the SEA Games this year after her weight category was scrapped.

After the national men’s curling team’s historic gold medal finish in the ninth Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, Tolentino hopes it sets the tone of the Filipino athletes competing in 2025.

Apart from the SEA Games, competitions such as the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in Manila and the FIBA Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia are also slated to happen this year.

“The recent win will serve as an inspiration for everyone,” Tolentino said.