FORMER Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday lauded the Philippine contingent for its sustained excellent performance in the ongoing 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The Philippine Team snatched 108 medals in the past five days of the competition, 30 of them gold, 34 silver, and 44 bronze as of this writing.

“The Philippine Team’s consecutive wins are a much-needed morale booster for Filipinos, so thank you to all our athletes, coaches, and officials,” Cayetano said.

The country currently stands in third place among the 11 competing countries, following Thailand ahead by 18 medals. Vietnam is currently in the first place.

One of the Philippine Team’s golds was snatched by Merwin Tan in bowling, ending the country’s 11-year drought in the event.

Gymnastics prodigy Carlos Yulo, meanwhile, bagged his fourth gold medal in men’s gymnastics for the National Team on day four.

Dancing duo Stephanie De Leon and Michael Angelo Martinez Marquez, who competed in the Latin-Cha-Cha dancesport event, also contributed to the gold medal haul of the Philippines.

Taekwondo Women’s Individual Recognized Poomsae competition also ended on a high note for the Philippines after Jocel Lyn Ninobla won gold.

Cayetano, who chaired the Philippine SEA Games Organizational Committee (PHISGOC) in 2019, said he is confident Filipino athletes will be able to keep the momentum in the competition.

“I have always believed in our athletes’ potential and skills. Pero ang nagdadala sa kanila sa tagumpay ay yung puso talaga nila na makapagbigay ng karangalan sa Pilipinas,” he said.

Cayetano also thanked the Filipino sports fans, particularly those who went to Hanoi to show their support to the athletes.

“Let’s be enthusiastic about sports even after the SEA Games in Vietnam,” he said.

At the same time, the former Speaker encouraged Filipinos to watch and support various sporting events held in the Philippines to help the community grow into a profitable, billion-dollar industry.

“Dati bihira ang nanonood ng volleyball, puro nasa basketball ang atensyon natin. Ngayon, kilalang-kilala na natin ang volleyball players kaya nagkaka-endorsements na sila, kumikita ang venues, dumadami ang nagkakatrabaho,” he said. By Ryan Ponce Pacpaco