MANILA, Philippines — It’s been said many times that there is strength in numbers.

But the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) leadership remains tight-lipped when asked about the chances of the 750-strong (athletes and officials) Philippine delegation to the 26th Southeast Asian Games that kicks off in Indonesia next month.

The day after a deadline imposed by the POC had lapsed on national sports associations aiming to catch the last bus to Indonesia, POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco politely declined to issue a prognosis of the Filipino athletes’ chances in the Nov. 11 to 22 biennial sportsfest.

“Let’s just hope for the best,” was all Cojuangco could utter when asked about his projection.

The Philippines wound up fifth overall the last time in Laos in 2009 after dropping to an all-time low sixth in 2007 in Thailand, a far cry from the first-place finish it achieved when the event was held on local soil in 2005.

The POC had earlier asked all 39 NSAs that will take part in the SEAG about their respective gold medal forecast and the total number disasppointed the POC inner circle since the prediction only amounted to about 55 gold medals.

That number, according to the POC, will only be good for fifth place and for the Philippines to take fourth spot, it has to collect at least 70 gold medals.

Expected to run away with the most number of gold medals is Indonesia, while the second to fourth spots will be a battle royale involving Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam.