CHONBURI – For the longest time, winning a football gold in the Southeast Asian Games has been an unthinkable proposition for the Philippines.

But thanks to the Filipinas’ gutsy efforts, the prize is now within reach for the country that, for decades, watched helplessly as others basked in glory.

And if the unflappable Filipinas take care of business in Wednesday night’s finale, it could well mark the Philippines’ shining moment as the new queens of SEAG football.

Standing in their way is Vietnam, a side determined to not only defend the crown but also exact revenge on the Pinay booters for the 0-1 heartbreaker it got back in Group A action.

“We’re hungry, we want it,” said skipper Hali Long ahead of the 7:30 p.m. Last Dance at the Chonburi Daikin Stadium (8:30 p.m. Manila time).

“It’s a first-time feeling for us, and a familiar feeling for Vietnam,” added the Fil-Am vanguard, the longest tenured player in the fold with 100 caps.

The Filipinas are riding the momentum of a three-game streak in the tournament, including a gutsy 4-2 victory on penalties after a 1-1 tie through 120 minutes over Thailand in the semis.

“We have one last game to go and we want to end this tournament on a win,” said Long.

“It will be tough because Vietnam is the reigning champions and we beat them in group, so I know they’re gonna be coming for us and they’re gonna be even harder to break down this time around. But we’ll work harder. We’ll be ready,” she added.