BANGKOK, Thailand — Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio underscores the importance of laying the groundwork for future Olympians through international exposure for athletes on the grassroots level.

Team Philippines’ 1,600-strong delegation in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games included young talents competing for the first time in the biennial meet.

Sports officials expressed satisfaction with the results coming from the young bloods, calling it a first step towards the Olympic dream.

The country finished sixth overall with 50 gold, 73 silver and the largest number of bronze medals in the 10-nation field with 154.

Gregorio said the bulk of bronze finishes came from the “grassroots athletes.”

“They’re happy they were able to compete. The next generation of Olympians will come from here,” the PSC head said.

Exposure in the regional meet is a tried and tested method of building Olympic-caliber athletes.

Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and Paris Games double-gold medal winner Carlos Yulo of gymnastics both started their global rise from the SEA Games.

Gregorio added that PSC and its counterparts in the Philippine Olympic Committee led by president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino have aligned their sports program to make sure that the country will continue to see Filipino athletes stepping on the podium of the Summer Games.

“President Bambol and I were talking about our many plans for Philippine sports in the next few years that we are the leaders of Philippine sports,” he said.

“All of that is already laid out.”

The country’s decision to send a record number of athletes in the SEA Games, according to Gregorio, is a part of the PSC and POC’s grand plan for the road to the Olympics.

“This kind of competition is really a strategic move. Where will this lead us? Nowhere else but to the Olympics,” he said.