MANILA, Philippines – Host Team Philippines formally claimed the overall crown — as King – of the 30^th Southeast Asian Games in what could be the most impressive show of force by Filipino athletes in the biennial-regional meet so far.

Impressive and “overwhelming” as they were in the words of Philippine Olympic Committee President Bambol Tolentino in the 12-day sports conclave, Team PH delivered a total of 387 medals at the close of the 30th edition of the Games Wednesday, marked with a parade of participants and colorful performances and a live concert courtesy of Black Eyed Peas.

In numbers, the host country bagged 149 gold medals, 117 silvers, and 121 bronzes for a total of 387 that more than duplicated another dominant PH hosting of the Games in 2005 under PGMA’s regime then.

That year, the Philippines also ruled the field with a total of 291 medals made up of 113 gold, 84 silver, and 94 bronze medals.

At Tuesday’s final reckoning, Vietnam finished first runner-up with 98 gold, 85 silver and 104 medals, followed by Thailand (92-103-123), Indonesia (72-84-111), Malaysia (55-58-72) and Singapore (53-46-68).

Myanmar   had 4-18-51 (73), Cambodia, 4-6-36 (46); Brunei, 2-5-6 (13), Laos, 1-5-28 (34); and Timor Leste, 0-1-5 (6).

In the Kuala Lumpur edition of the games two years ago, the Philippines had a total of only 24 golds.

President Rodrigo Duterte is set to welcome the Filipino SEA Games medalist at the Malacanang Palace on December 18 to hand over incentives plus other add-ons.

Republic Act 10699 provides for cash incentives for winners of the SEA Games to receive P300,000, P150,000, and P60,000 respectively for gold, silver and bronze finishes. (Lloyd Tagbago/IAMIGO/CNS)