Cue artists to the rescue

If boxing cannot deliver enough gold, then billiards and snooker are expected to come to the rescue, with world-class cue artists Efren “Bata” Reyes, Ronnie Alcano, Django Bustamante, Dennis Orcollo, Ramil Gallego, and Rubilen Amit leading the charge for the Filipinos with a target of at least five golds.

Incredible bravado

Boxing is reportedly after a bold sweep of 10 golds, an incredible bravado that defies the presence of boxing powerhouse Thailand. Two-time Olympian light flyweight Harry Tañamor and Busan Asian Games bantamweight gold medalist Joan Tipon are about the only veterans in the six-man Philippine team seeing action in boxing.

In the distaff side, only recently crowned Asian Indoor women’s champion and defending SEA Games titlist Annie Albania is given an outside chance to deliver the gold in the four-woman lineup.

The Filipino boxers hope to regain respect in the biennial meet after the last SEA Games forgettable campaign that saw them winning only one gold medal courtesy of lady boxer Albania after the Filipinos forfeited the finals matches against the Thais.

How many SEA Games golds?

From a high of 64 golds to a low of 15, from a bold sweep to a doubtful win.

This is the story of the Philippine contingent participating in the 25th Edition of the Southeast Asian Games in Vientiane, Laos.

A harvest of 64 golds could most likely give the Filipinos a 2nd place or 3rd place finish behind Thailand and Vietnam, while a lean production of 15 golds could relegate the country in the company of Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Brunei and Timor Leste at the bottom of 11-country competitions.