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.

The Filipinas silenced powerhouse Thailand in the semis before beating Vietnam in a penalty shootout in the final while the beach volleybelles submitted the Thais in the sands.

“The women’s football gold is a bonus but to beat Thailand in its game, that’s it,” Tolentino said.

“Of course, basketball as predicted (won gold) in spite, and that’s applicable to all sports, of an uphill battle. You know what I meant,” he added with a hint of sarcasm.

“If you have noticed we have the most bronze in the Games. And that’s the ‘in spite’. You’re not allowed to reach the finals. You’re just here to get bronze.”

Still, Tolentino considered the campaign a success.

“This is the fruit of unity between the POC and the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission). Very successful for us. We broke many records. We defended (the sports we excel on). We beat them in their games. That’s the important thing,” he said.

PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio echoed the assessment of Tolentino.

He also saw a silver lining on the amount of bronze the Filipinos collected.

“I also noticed that we have 154 bronze medals because of the competition, according to Cong. Bambol, has an ‘in spite.’ But at the same time, that’s our grassroots,” Gregorio said.

Team Philippines not only sent its elite athletes in the regional sports meet but also fielded young talents for exposure.

“Those bronze medals, that’s our grassroots. And I believe they will improve because we gave them the opportunity to participate in the Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok,” the PSC chief said.

Thailand was crowned overall champion with 233-154-112 gold-silver-bronze haul followed by Indonesia (91-111-131), Vietnam (87-81-110) and Malaysia (57-57-117).