By El Amigo
MANILA — The Philippines is setting its sights on a bigger medal haul at the 2026 Asian Games, with Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino confident the country can win more than four gold medals in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
More than 400 Filipino athletes are expected to make up the national delegation for the September 19 to October 4 Games.
“I have high hopes we will have a bountiful harvest,” Tolentino said as he outlined his expectations for the Philippine campaign.
The country’s previous four-gold hauls came at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang and 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Several established stars are expected to lead the medal charge in Nagoya, including Carlos Yulo, EJ Obiena and Alex Eala.
Yulo will be among the Philippines’ top hopes in gymnastics as he seeks an Asian Games gold, while Obiena will try to retain his men’s pole-vault title. Eala, meanwhile, is expected to compete for the women’s singles tennis crown.
Gilas Pilipinas will also be under pressure to defend its men’s basketball title after producing one of the Philippines’ most memorable performances in Hangzhou. The national team beat China in the semifinals before defeating Jordan in the final to claim the gold.
However, Gilas is expected to field a different roster in Nagoya.
Coach Tim Cone said the team will likely rely heavily on PBA players, with Justin Brownlee also expected to join the squad. Cone explained that some Filipino players playing professionally in Japan and South Korea could be unavailable because their clubs are not required to release them for the non-FIBA-sanctioned Asian Games.
“So, we just decided that we would pretty much bring an all-PBA contingent for the Asian Games along with Justin (Brownlee),” Cone said.
The Philippines is in Group B with Bahrain, Kazakhstan and China in the men’s basketball competition.
Medal opportunities are also being eyed in jiu-jitsu, weightlifting, swimming, volleyball, combat sports, esports and other events.
The Philippine delegation hopes its mix of returning champions and rising stars can push the country beyond its four-gold benchmark.
For Tolentino, the objective in Nagoya goes beyond participation—the Philippines is aiming for a bigger harvest of medals.
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