“We want to start early and we want to start with the right foot forward. I hope everybody joins us in this,” said Loyzaga, who shares the chores of the Phl delegation head with canoe-kayak chief Sim Chi Tat.

According to the former basketball star, the plan is to require the NSAs to identify their prospective SEAG bets within this month to begin their earnest preparations.

“When we meet with the NSAs regarding their budgetary requirements this month, we’ll already require them to submit a list of athletes whom they feel will qualify for the SEA Games so that this early, they can start their (rigid) training,” he said.

He added that a joint PSC-Philippine Olympic Committee monitoring group composed of himself, PSC commissioner Akiko Thomson, and POC officials Manny Lopez and Jeff Tamayo, will evaluate the performances of the pool members on a regular basis. In the long run, this will determine whether they will make it to the final lineup.

“I hope the NSAs will be responsible and realistic in choosing the athletes (they will name to the pool),” said Loyzaga.

The Philippines seeks to improve its fifth-place standing in the Laos SEAG, with POC president Peping Cojuangco and PSC chairman Richie Garcia upbeat about a possible Top 3 finish in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Loyzaga said he and POC officials Monico Puentevella, Steve Hontiveros, Manny Lopez and Julian Camacho, will try to lobby for the inclusion of sports like rugby, arnis, handball and field hockey, when they attend the SEAG Federation meeting on Feb. 25 in Bali, Indonesia.

A total of 44 sports have been calendared in the Indonesia SEAG so far and officials said there is still a chance to add some more provided lobbyists can gather the support of six countries.

Olmin Leyba, Philippine Star