And on the ninth day of the Games, the Philippines has already notched 88 gold medals to lead the rest of the SEA Games pack as of this writing. The country's hosting advantage definitely played a part in their dominant performance as host countries typically hold the privilege of adding sports to the SEA Games roster. Team Philippines last notched overall champion honors when it hosted the 23rd SEA Games back in 2005. In the previous SEA Games hosted by Malaysia in 2017, the Philippines emerged with a meek haul of 23 gold medals, 33 silvers and 64 bronzes to top off a humbling sixth-place finish. But as the country closes in on what's looking like a storybook finish to the 30th SEA Games, it looks like the Philippines has bounced back.

Source: Philippine Star December 08, 2019 08:37 UTC