If this happens, this will be the smallest delegation by the country in the quadrennial event.

In the Busan Asian Games in 2002, the country was represented by 233 athletes. They won three gold medals – one each in billiards, boxing and equestrian.

But with the success in the recent SEA Games where the country emerged overall champion for the first time, sports officials are upbeat the Filipino athletes would perform much better.

Task force chief Go Teng Kok said yesterday that although his group has approved a three-point criteria for inclusion in the national delegation, the PSC’s shoe string budget might limit the country’s participation only to the first bracket.

Go declined to divulge the criteria, deferring to Philippine Olympic Committee President Jose "Peping" Cojuangco Jr. But he said the first option will involve athletes who have qualified outright by virtue of their finishes in qualifying tournaments and in winning world, Asian and Continental championships.

Cojuangco will make the announcement in today’s meeting of the POC expanded executive council, made up of the executive board and chairmen of the different working committees.

Athletes belonging to the second and brackets are those who have slim chances of landing a medal but face sanctions from their international federations should they fail to compete.

Go admitted circumstances could force their hand to disregard the second- and third-tier groups.

"To me and other members of the task force, earning slots in the national delegation should be confined only to the first option, that is those, who have qualified outright on the strength of their performances in qualifying tournaments," said Go in a press briefing.

"Unang-una kasi, walang pera. Tingin namin, considering the available funding of the PSC, talagang doon na lang sa first option. Hindi na aabot sa second and third options."

Asked how many athletes could be accommodated, Go said: "I think the number would not reach 50. Sa track and field lang, baka dalawa lang ang qualified."

Other members of the task force are Tom Carrasco of triathlon, Harry Angping of softball, Maro Tanchangco of sepak takraw, Nestor Ilagan of traditional boat race, Red Dumuk and Philippine Sports Commission representatives, commissioner Richie Garcia, and executive director Guillermo Iroy.

Go also said that although accommodations for athletes and coaches at the Games Village will be free, whatever savings generated by the task force would not translate into a bigger contingent.