Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee chairman and House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano expressed hope that the Philippines will top this year’s Southeast Asian Games, which the country is hosting.

“Nagdadasal kami (We’re praying). We’re hoping and giving our support na mag number one ang Pilipinas (that Philippines will end up on top),” he said on Wednesday night during the Team Philippines Send-Off ng Bayan event at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Philippines clinched the overall championship of the biennial meet in 2005, the last time the country hosted the games.

With the Philippines hosting the SEA Games again from November 30 to December 11, clinching another overall title is not far-fetched.

In fact, a 220-gold medal haul for the Philippine team was projected.

Asked about his reaction to the forecast, Cayetano was mum about his own projection for the team.

“I’d rather not [talk about it] as chairman kasi nga we have to make sure [na] fair sa lahat. POC (Philippine Olympic Committee) na ang mag-take ng predictions,” Cayetano said. (PNA)