THE Philippine delegation takes the spotlight on Saturday during the opening ceremonies of the 20th Asian Games at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Japan. Serving as flag-carriers are Paris Olympics boxing bronze medalist Aira Villegas and weightlifter Albert Ian delos Santos.
Photograph courtesy of POC Media Pool
The Philippines will release its medal bets on Sunday with soft tennis attempting to upgrade its bronze and wushu and triathlon testing their skill sets against solid opposition following the grand opening of the 20th Asian Games.
“Today, as the Asian Games officially begin in Nagoya, the whole nation rallies behind our athletes as they carry the flag and the dreams of our country. You have worked hard and sacrificed much to be here. Focus your mind and remember your purpose — para sa sarili, para sa pamilya, para sa bayan. Sa bawat laban, ipakita ninyo ang puso ng atletang Pilipino. Lahat kami ay nakaabang at nakasuporta. Laban, Pilipinas,” Philippine Sports Commission chairperson Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said in his message to the 477-strong Philippine delegation to Japan.
Skipper Bien Zoleta, Princess Catindig, Christy Sanosa, Shryn Salazar and Hilary Paas meet defending champion Japan in the semifinal round at 8 a.m. (Manila time) at the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center with a win propelling them into a gold medal clash with the winner of the other semis pairing involving Korea and Chinese Taipei.
Also kicking off her medal drive is six-time Southeast Asian Games champion Agatha Wong of wushu, whose path to the gold is being blocked by defending champion Tong Xin of China and favorites Basma Lackhar of Brunei, silver medalist in Hangzhou in 2023, and home entry Shiho Saito.
“My goal is simple. I just want to stand on that podium again,” Wong said. “I’ve worked for years to refine every movement, every transition. This is the moment I’ve been preparing for.”
Also in contention are contenders from Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Nepal, Malaysia, Thailand, and Pakistan, hands down Asia’s finest Taolu specialists.
Wong, 28, a medical student from UERM, has what it takes to get the job done.
Her resume is solid.
She took the bronze during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and in the 2016 World Cup in Fuzhou apart from a silver in the 2023 World Championships in Texas and another bronze in the 2025 World Championship[s in Brazil.
Meanwhile, the five-man triathlon squad is also on the prowl.
After spending camps in Spain, Indonesia and China, Fil-Spanish Fernando Casares, a two-time SEA Games titleholder, will lead the men’s crew alongside Kim Remolino and Inaki Lorbes.
Kim Mangrobang, four-time SEA Games winner and Raven Alcoseba, will carry the flag in the women’s competitions.
“They are all sharp and battle-ready,” said Triathlon Philippines president Tom Carrasco.
In women’s volleyball, Alas Women aim for a graceful exit when they play Qatar.
After sustaining back-to-back losses to China and Kazakhstan in the quarterfinal round, Alas Women are looking to win their last three matches to finish ninth overall.
The Philippines is looking at winning a total of eight gold medals in this edition of the Asian Games after bringing home four from Hangzhou in 2023 and four as well from Jakarta in 2018.
