PSC, POC confident of better Asiad showing

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) remain positive the country’s performance in the 20th Asian Games in Japan will be much better than the last two.

PSC chairperson Patrick “Pato” Gregorio swears he and POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino are on the same page as to the Philippines’ showing in the quadrennial sportsfest scheduled 19 September to 4 October in Nagoya.

The upbeat mood stems from the Philippines’ 50-gold medal production in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games held last month in Thailand.

Pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, Annie Ramirez and Meggie Ochoa of women’s jiu-jitsu and Gilas Pilipinas won the country’s four golds in the 19th Asian in Hangzhou, China in 2023.

“President Bambol and I said that we hope to surpass the 2018-2022 performance of the Asian Games. We won four golds in 2018 (in Jakarta) and four golds in 2022,” Gregorio said.

“We hope to surpass that in 2026 and let’s not forget, we are the defending champions in basketball in the Asian Games. Our countrymen are excited.”

Gregorio, a seasoned sports executive before becoming the PSC chief last July, said the SEA Games was a glimpse of what the Filipinos can do in tougher and higher-level competitions.

In an article by Vietnamese outlet VNExpress, both Singapore and the Philippines boasts a gold medal ratio of 80 percent on sports that will appear in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics during the prestigious biennial meet.

“The Philippines is a top two, one tied for first place with Singapore for most gold medals won in an Olympic sport. That is what it’s all about,” Gregorio said.

“We prepare our athletes, the next generation, to become Olympic medalists. So that came out and we are very happy with that.”

Filipino sports fans have a lot to expect from the athletes in the upcoming Asiad.

For starters, Paris Olympics double gold medalist Carlos Yulo of gymnastics could surface in Japan after opting to skip the previous edition in China to focus on the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp.

Tennis star Alex Eala, who won two bronze medals in her Asiad debut and struck gold in the SEA Games, could also make an appearance, as by then, she would have already finished playing in all four Grand Slams.

International Series Philippines champion Miguel Tabuena of golf is also committed to representing the country as long as his schedule permits it.

The Philippine national women’s football team is also raring to showcase their wares at the Asian Games after winning the country’s first gold medal in women’s football in the 33rd SEA Games.