Tanchangco likes RP's chances in Laos SEAG

A rift between Laos and Thailand regarding preparations for the 25th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) is giving the Philippines some hopes that it could avoid another disastrous campaign in the biennial event slated this December.

“Before, Thailand is helping Laos in so many ways like uniforms and even airfare," said Chief of Mission (ret.) Gen. Mario Tanchangco during Tuesday's PSA Forum at the Shakey's U.N. Avenue branch. That’s our forecast. We’re going to win more than 15 gold medals in billiards, athletics and aquatics alone. – (Ret.) Gen. Mario Tanchangco, RP Chef de Mission

“But now there seems to be a quarrel between the two so it’s going to be a free-for-all in the race for gold medals. This will give us a strong chance to finish at No. 1 or No. 2 or No. 3."

Tanchangco said that the POC is standing by its earlier statement that RP can win 20 to 30 gold medals in this year's edition of the SEAG which Laos is hosting.

Tanchangco explained that based on reports by billiards, athletics and aquatics, the POC is optimistic that the Philippines can improve its overall finish in the 2007 Thailand SEAG were Filipino campaigners landed at sixth spot.

“That’s our forecast. We’re going to win more than 15 gold medals in billiards, athletics and aquatics alone," Tanchanco said.

With this prediction, the Philippine contingent can easily win 30 gold medals, the number predicted by the POC. RP is competing in 25 out of the 27 events in Laos.

This is in contrast to the prediction made by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Harry Angping that the Philippines can only muster at least 15 gold medals based on their study.

In Thailand two years ago, the Philippines produced eight in swimming, five in athletics and two each in diving and billiards.

That could be considered as the country's worst SEAG finish since hosting the biennial meet two years ago before the games were held in Thailand. In 2005, the Philippines as host won 113 gold medals to win the general championship. – Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV