MANILA, Philippines — Five months to go before the London Olympics, and only one sure qualifier, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is wondering whether there will be more athletes capable of making the grade.

If it so happens that only one qualifier and four “compulsary” athletes make it to London, the Philippines will have perhaps the indignity of having more officials than athletes marching in the opening ceremonies, especially when one considers that the country has a population of nearly 100 million.

It will also illustrate how low Philippine sports have gone despite the huge budget and the attention lavished into making the country win its first gold medal.

“What I am more concerned with is to try to get more to qualify,” said POC president Jose 'Peping' Cojuangco.

He said he is keeping his hopes high because there are still a few qualifying events Filipino athletes can take part in to make the Olympic grade.

The London Olympics will be held July 27 to August 12, and, so far, the Philippines is guaranteed five qualifiers, led by boxer Mark Anthony Barriga, who competes in the lightflyweight class.

As per Olympic tradition, two token representatives will come from athletics and swimming and London chief of mission Manny Lopez, like Cojuangco, is also praying for more qualifiers in the coming months.

“Officially, as far as my communication with the London organizers is concerned, we only have one qualifier in Barriga,” said Lopez Wednesday.

Barriga secured his Olympic ticket during the world championships last year through the backdoor, having lost his quarterfinal bout but got lucky when his tormentor, Chinese Zou Shiming, went on to win the gold medal.

Athletics is likely to send long jump queen Marestella Torres and runner Rene Herrera, while swimming has yet to name its representatives, still hoping that they can get qualifiers through competition.