BANGKOK, Thailand — Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino did not mince his words in describing the uphill battle of Team Philippines to reach 50 gold medals as the competition in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games came to a close on Saturday here.

“It’s painful to say, I’m supposed to say this when we return to Manila, but it’s a brutal SEA Games,” Tolentino said in a luncheon meeting with sportswriters who covered the 11-day affair.

Team Philippines, despite sending a 1,600-strong delegation, fell eight gold medals short of replicating its haul in the Phnom Penh edition two years ago.

The Philippines finished in sixth place with a collection of 50 gold, 73 silver and the largest number of bronze medals in the 10-nation field with 154.

Tolentino felt it could’ve been more.

The usual boxing gold mine went dry with only Eumir Marcial winning the mint among the four Filipino fighters in the final against a foe not from the host nation.

Two more wins by Pinoy pugs against Thailand in boxing would’ve brought the country up to fifth — the same finish two years ago — overtaking Singapore (52-61-89).

The country, despite the circumstances, won in the sports it traditionally dominates especially in 5-on-5 basketball and pulled off surprises in a historic breakthrough gold medal in women’s football and in women’s beach volleyball.