Accordingly, POC announced in its General Assembly at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay City, yesterday the scheme for the release of the financial incentives for the SEA Games medalists.

“Tops on the agenda is honoring our Filipino athletes who competed strongly in the Vietnam SEA Games. The country may have relinquished the overall championship, but our athletes were a ‘fighting team’ in Vietnam,” POC president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said.

Further, the said assembly also welcomed the Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas and Philippine Esports Organization as regular members of the organization.

Looking back, this year has been the best finish for the Philippines when it’s not hosting the conference. Filipino athletes finished fourth in the medals race with 52 gold, 70 silver, and 105 bronze medals.

Vietnam, on the other hand, the host of the event bagged a total of 205 gold medals with 125 silvers and 116 bronze medals.

“Everyone knew beforehand that Vietnam would relentlessly dominate the games. But still, our athletes still held their ground despite limitations in their training and preparations because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Tolentino expressed.

Nevertheless, Tolentino pointed out that the Filipino athletes will remain in “gold model form” for the 32nd SEAG in May 2023 to be hosted by Cambodia.