HANGZHOU, China – The Philippines might be trailing than other SEAG rivals in the gold medal race in the 19th Asian Games here.

But not in the eyes of Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

Team Philippines had only four golds to show after Friday’s historic gold medal win by the hastily-formed but gallant Gilas squad, but Gilas’ 70-60 victory over Jordan should be worth a thousand golds.

That’s because the incredible feat put the Philippines back as Asia’s premier basketball nation after 61 years.

“After 61 years… Thank you Lord,” Tolentino said.

For the team’s sheer determination and steely resolve to defy great odds, especially not having the luxury of a lengthy preparation for this continental showpiece, Gilas should be given thousands of golds.

“It’s God’s will, prayers answered,” said Tolentino during a press briefing inside the sprawling Asian Games Village.

“Ilan ba ang players ng basketball? 12 di ba? But for their struggles to form a team their victory should be worth a thousand golds with due respect to EJ (Obiena) and other gold medal winners,” said Tolentino.

Going into the final day, Thailand is No. 1 among SEAG countries in gold medal production with 12, followed by Indonesia (7), and Malaysia (5).

But the pleasant news, Team PH is now 16th place overall – a slight improvement from 18th five years ago after posting 4-2-15 tally.

The victory of Obiena, Tolentino said, was expected, claiming the pride of Tondo simply belongs to a different league.

The pole vault ace gave Team PH its first gold in a record-shattering performance in the quadrennial sporting spectacle that was again dominated by the mighty Chinese bets.

Also the chief executive of top tourist destination Tagaytay City, Tolentino also expressed delight that the country had already matched the four-gold the country achieved during the Jakarta Games five years ago.

“But that’s actually five gold medals won all in all, counting Eumir’s [Felix Marcial] silver,” he added with a smile.

Whether he said that in jest, it was what most Filipinos saw and felt.

Marcial was also present during the briefing and still a picture of contentment despite what appeared to be a controversial defeat to a local bet.

Marcial fought in the light heavyweight division, a heavier category to the middleweight class where he clinched bronze in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics two years ago.

Team PH also has 2 silver and 12 bronze medals as of Friday.

Olympic champion Hidilyn Dian and skateboarding sensation fell one after the other with the former competing in a heavier weight category that proved disastrous.

The short-handed women’s golf team also lost their titles – two golds –in the absence of Bianca Pagdanganan and Yuka Saso, who is now a Japanese citizen.

Good thing, jiu-jitsu stars Meggi Ochoa and Annie Ramirez made up for their failures by reigning in their respective events, making their team the most productive. It also produced a bronze in Kaila Napolis.