KUALA LUMPUR –Chef de Mission Cynthia Carrion expressed confidence that the Team Philippines will achieve the target of at least 50-gold medal haul in the 29th Southeast Asian Games formally opens on Saturday at the Bukit Jalil National in this megacity Stadium in this bustling Malaysian capital.
Days before the formal opening of the Games, the Philippines started on bright note with three medals– a silver medal from sepak takraw and a pair of bronze medals from archery.
“The athletes are really in an up mood and they are in high spirits,” said Carrion, who is also the president of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines.
“I’ve been to a lot of SEA Games and this is the first time I saw the athletes in an up mood. Don’t you feel it? They really want to win something, they are really fighting hard to put the Philippines up there.”
Hopes are high that the Philippines may bag its first gold in the biennial games when Olympian Mary Joy Tabal compete in the women’s on Saturday (August 19) morning.
“Yes, we're hoping and praying (of her victory), added Carrion, who reported that Team Philippines’ campaign is on the right track as it braces for more action in the days to come.
Carrion raised the idea of having a solid performance in anticipation of the country’s hosting of the biennial meet in 2019.