This is the observation of Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman and chef de mission William Ramirez, and PSC commissioners Ricardo Garcia and Joey Mundo, said a report by The Manila Bulletin daily.

The report said boxing icon Manny Pacquiao beat Erik Morales in Las Vegas last week while Biboy Rivera and Jojo Canare won important bowling victories. There's also Ronnie Alcano who topped the World Pool Championship.

The triumphs are very positive indications, the officials said.

"That's why we are upbeat," Garcia said, adding that the Philippines may perform better than the team in Busan in 2002.

According to the officials, the athletes prepared long and hard for Doha. They also expect better performance after the country won the overall championship in last year's Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games).

The 267-athlete Philippine team will see action in 32 of 39 disciplines which offers 432 gold medals.

"This might be one of the most underestimated teams. They lack funding and training compared to the 2005 SEA Games preparations. But with what I've seen from the athletes, their dedication and perseverance, they might be able to deliver better results," Ramirez said.

This means, Ramirez continued, the possibility that they will surpass the target of five golds.

"They might deliver tremendous results by honoring the country with more golds," the Philippine chef de mission said, citing, among others, karatedo, shooting, equestrian, fencing, baseball, swimming, bowling, sailing and boxing as the source of gold medals.