ROXAS CITY --- Although much has been said about the Philippines bid for its first-ever Olympic gold medal in Beijing lately, Philippine sports commissioner Ambrosio De Luna yesterday said their agency is not overlooking the preparations for the the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand late this year.

De Luna acknowledged the tall order for the Philippines to keep the crown but said that with enough training and international exposure, the Filipino bets have a strong chance of coming up with an impressive campaign.

De Luna, who keynoted the opening of the Western Visayas Private Schools Athletic Association Meet here, said the PSC is now undertaking programs aimed at boosting the country's title-retention bid in the SEAG.

"The PSC is busy with preparations for the SEA Games because will be one of our training ground for Beijing. We are optimistic that we can still keep the title despite the Thais' home-court advantage," De Luna said.

The Philippines won its first-ever SEA Games crown two years ago when the event was held in Manila and other key cities in the country, including Bacolod, which hosted boxing, men's football, weightlifting, volleyball and beach volleyball.

De Luna said their agency is now in the process of selecting athletes that will be given international exposure in the months leading to the SEA Games "They will be sent out to train in China and other parts of the world".

Athletes expected to get international exposure are Asian Games gold medalist Joan Tipon of Bacolod City and Cauayan's Arniel Ferrera of hammer throw, among others.

De Luna also welcomed the unification of the Basketball Association of the Philippines and the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas.

The country can now look forward to more international tournaments, where the national team will be competing, he said. *CPT

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