MANILA - The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) said the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) should carry one and the same tune in helping the country get a decent showing in every international competition.

“Sa isang lalahukang torneo katulad ng Southeast Asian Games, dapat iisa lang ang sinasabi natin,” said POC spokesman Joey Romasanta during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association forum at Shakey’s UN Avenue Branch.

Romasanta issued the statement in reaction to the projection made by PSC Chairman Harry Angping about the country’s chances in the upcoming 25th Southeast Asian Games in Vientiane, Laos.

According to Angping’s conservative estimate, RP might only win 15-20 gold medals in Laos. This is far from the 41 golds the Philippines registered in the 24th SEAG in Nahkon Ratchasima, Thailand.

Several POC officials such as Athletics chief Go Teng Kok disputed this, saying that RP is capable of winning 50 gold medals.

However, Romasanta said there is no point in debating on projections. He stressed the need for the two agencies to work together to achieve a single goal.

“Hindi po dapat tayo nagdedebate roon eh… hindi po dapat magpatalbugan dito. Ang importante lamang magtulungan, isantabi lahat sapagkat nandito naman tayo lahat para sa bayan natin,” he said.

Respect NSA’s
Meanwhile, Romasanta said the PSC should also respect the National Sports Associations (NSA) by giving them a free hand in the training and selection of athletes for the coming SEAG.

The POC is made up of different NSAs, which scout, recruit and train the athletes.

“Doon sa training and all that, dapat din sigurong magkaroon din ng paggalang sa efforts ng NSAs, at sila naman po ang tunay na nakakaintindi sa kanilang sport at kanilang manlalaro,” said Romasanta.

“Sa karanasan natin, walang iisang tao o institusyon ang makapagsasabi that he or she has expert knowledge on every detail of a sport,” he added.

Romasanta said both the POC and PSC have their own duties to fulfill and that each agency should respect each other’s role.

“Dapat magkaroon tayo ng common understanding at pag-galang sa papel ng bawat isa. Ang Philippine Olympic Committee ay mayroon dapat gampanan na role as far as Philippine sports is concerned, and likewise, with the Philippine Sports Commission,” he said.