John Cabang Tolentino earns bronze at Asian Games

c/o POC/PSC Media

 

Olympian John Cabang Tolentino has officially conquered the Asian Games podium, delivering a historic bronze medal for the Philippines in the men's 110-meter hurdles final on Sunday night. 

Competing under the lights at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, the Filipino track star clocked a season-best time of 13.48 seconds to secure his highly coveted medal. 

He finished closely behind China's Chen Yuanjiang, who captured the gold with a blazing 13.15 seconds, and Japan's Rachid Muratake, who took silver at 13.29 seconds. 

The hard-fought victory marks a monumental milestone for Philippine athletics, ending a decades-long medal drought in the continental hurdles events. 

The milestone marks the country's first Asiad hurdles medal since Elma Muros in 1990, and the first for a Filipino male hurdler since 1954. 

This breakthrough in Nagoya builds on the hurdler's incredible recent momentum. On December 12, 2025, Cabang Tolentino captured gold at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Bangkok, Thailand, where he set a new SEA Games record of 13.66 seconds. 

His performance shattered the previous record of 13.69 seconds, which had been held by Thailand's Jamras Rittidet since 2015. 

"I'm very happy. It was just a lot of self-pressure, and I just did it," an emotional Cabang Tolentino shared after the race. 

Having narrowly missed the podium with a heartbreaking fourth-place finish at the previous Hangzhou Games, the hurdler emphasized the unyielding mindset that fueled his redemption arc. 

"I came here... to any competition, always to win," he declared. 

Acknowledging the grueling physical and mental journey required to compete against Asia's elite, he reflected on what kept him moving forward. 

"Even in the hard times, I kept pushing... I was always dreaming about this," he added. 

Cabang Tolentino dedicated the historic triumph to his core support system: his coach, his family, his girlfriend, and the entire nation. 

With an Asian Games bronze and a SEA Games record now firmly in his grasp, the athletic standout is already looking toward the ultimate sporting stage. 

"I'm gonna go for LA Olympics," he affirmed.

SIBOL nets Philippines a bronze in Pokumon UNITE

eSports left to right Lance David, Robert Mempin, Ducke Leoncio, coach Albert Camp, PESO President Brian Lim, Kim Rey Salazar, Vaughn Ocio, Lawrence Gatmaitan via POC/PSC Media

SIBOL settled for a bronze medal after a, 0-2, loss to Indonesia in the semifinals of the Pokémon UNITE esports event on Sunday at the Aichi Sky Expo Hall on Sunday.

Backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippines was poised to take the opening game.

Philippines saw its huge lead got erased as Indonesia seized Kyogre in the final two minutes to mount a comeback, 312-277, in Game 1.

Sibol never regained its footing after the heartbreaking opener.

Riding on the momentum, Indonesia pulled away early, all the way to dominate Game 2, 887-204.

“Actually nung Game 1, sobrang swerte nung kalaban. If you will notice, sobrang low health nung mga kalaban. It’s just that kinapos tayo,” said Sibol Pokémon UNITE head coach Albert Camp.

Despite the semifinal loss, Camp was proud of his team, especially after securing the country’s first-ever esports medal in the Asian Games.

“Still, sobrang happy. I’m still in awe kasi first time and sobrang happy ako sa boys ko kasi nga lifetime na nilang dadalhin ‘to. Na nagdala sila ng medalya para sa bansang Pilipinas,” he said.

Sibol—bannered by Kim Rey Salazar, Michael Vaughn Ocio, Lance David and head coach Albert Camp—couldn’t sustain the momentum of a 2-0 sweep over Hong Kong in the quarterfinals against the Indonesians.

The Filipinos collapsed during the crucial Kyogre fight in both games as the Indonesians ran away with come-from-behind wins.

Alas Pilipinas Men drops opening Asiad assignment

The Alas Pilipinas Men opened its Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games campaign with a 25-16, 27-25, 25-22 loss to South Korea on Sunday at the Park Arena Komaki.

But the defeat, according to team captain Bryan Bagunas, was only part of the challenges facing the team.

“Medyo madami kaming errors talaga, kailangan namin manage errors namin,” Bagunas said.

The Philippines struggled to close out sets, with South Korea pulling away when it mattered most.

“Nandun na e. Siguro yung finishing lang e, dun kami nagkakamali pag patapos na yung set. Need namin manage yung errors,” he said.

Bagunas also pointed to their limited preparation as the team had only been training with Joshua Retamar for two days for the Asian Games.

“Siguro isa yung serving namin… two days pa lang kami training with Owa [Retamar],” Bagunas said.

Bagunas said he has been reminding the younger players to use the Asian Games as an opportunity to gain exposure, particularly with the possibility of playing overseas in the future.

“Sabi namin itong Asian Games malaking tulong para sa amin lalo na para sa mga bata, exposure na rin nila,” he said. “Kung makakapaglaro overseas as import, makikita sila dito.”

“So yun na lang sinasabi ko sa kanila, minomotivate ko na lang sila na laban lang natin ito and sana in the future mas okay yung suporta na dadating sa amin. Tuloy-tuloy lang.” Despite the difficult situation, Bagunas made sure to acknowledge the fans who traveled to Japan to support the team. 

“Talagang nagpapasalamat talaga kami sa lahat ng fans na pumunta pa dito sa Japan para suportahan kami. Talagang di naffeel yung walang suporta from the fans. Nandiyan kayo, manalo o matalo.”

Ubas earns finals berth in Asiad long jump

c/o POC/PSC Media

A robust leap kept the Philippine athletics squad's medal hopes soaring on Sunday morning, as veteran Janry Ubas officially booked his ticket to the men's long jump final at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

The 32-year-old former Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medalist delivered a solid 7.59-meter clearance on his second attempt at the Mizuho Park Stadium. 

The mark was enough to hit the strict qualification standard and safely secure his spot in tomorrow's medal round, placing him eighth overall in a highly competitive field of 12 finalists. 

Uzbekistan's Anvar Anvarov led the qualifying pack with a formidable 8.00-meter leap.

"Sobrang happy kasi na-hit agad ang qualifying standard. Sobrang lakas talaga, parang final na. 'Yong iba na magagaling, nahirapan din," Ubas shared, acknowledging the grueling continental talent pool. (“I’m so happy because I hit the qualifying standard right away. The competition is really strong, it already feels like the finals. Even some of the top athletes struggled.”)

This marks Ubas' second consecutive Asiad final appearance. During the 2023 Hangzhou Games, he raised expectations by ranking third in the qualification round, but ultimately finished seventh overall. Heading into tomorrow's highly anticipated showdown, the seasoned jumper remains composed, opting to rely on his vast international experience rather than succumbing to the pressure.

"Feeling ko may natira pa akong lakas at mag-iimprove pa sa finals. Focus lang, huwag ma-pressure, tiwala lang sa training. Lahat naman naghanda," he noted, hinting that he has reserved his best jumps for when it matters most. (“I feel like I still have energy left to improve in the finals. I just need to focus, avoid the pressure, and trust my training. Everyone came prepared.”)

Currently on his third tour of duty at the quadrennial meet, the stakes have never been higher for the Philippine track star. Aware that Father Time is catching up, Ubas is treating this Nagoya campaign with a renewed sense of urgency and is fiercely motivated to finally step onto the Asian Games podium.

"Gusto ko talaga maka-produce ng medalya kasi pang-third time ko na ito. Next time, 36 or 37 na ako," Ubas admitted. (“I really want to produce a medal because this is already my third time here. By the next edition, I will already be 36 or 37 years old.")

Eala set for Thai matchup to kickstart her Asiad campaign

c/o POC/PSC Media

Top-seeded Filipina tennis standout Alexandra "Alex" Eala launches her quest for gold in the 20th Asian Games women's singles tournament on Monday at the Nagoya City Higashiyama Park Tennis Center in Japan.

Following a first-round bye, world No. 18 Eala faces Thailand's Patcharin Cheapchandej (ranked No. 510) in the Round of 16, with the official match time still to be set. 

Eala holds a clear advantage, having previously defeated the 31-year-old Thai player 6-3, 6-4 at the 2022 ITF Thailand 05A event.

Cheapchandej advanced to the second round following a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over Pakistan's Mahin Aftab Qureshi.

Despite her top billing, the 21-year-old Eala remains cautious as she aims to recover from a recent second-round exit at the 2026 Singapore Tennis Open, where she fell 6-4, 5-7, 3-6 to Russia's Tatiana Prozorova (world No. 180).

"I think I have as big a chance as any other person on the draw (in the Asian Games). I think once you compete and, like I said, once you're in the draw, you have a chance so I'll do my best," said Eala following her Singapore loss.

Eala is aiming to build on her bronze medal from the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games and contribute to the Philippines' gold tally, which currently stands at two following gymnastics star Carlos Yulo's achievements.

Beyond her singles run, Eala will team up with Shaira Hope Rivera in the women’s doubles, opening against Hong Kong’s Lai Ching Laam and Kallista Liu.

In other singles action, 19-year-old Filipina Tennielle Madis exited early after a 1-6, 0-6 defeat to seventh seed Himeno Sakatsume of host nation Japan. 

Madis now shifts her focus to doubles, pairing with Stefi Marithe Aludo to face Indonesia's Anjali Kirana Junarto and Meydiana Laviola Reinnamah in their opening round.

Madis with R1 Asiad singles exit

c/o POC/PSC Media

Filipina tennis player Tenny Madis bowed out of the women’s singles event at the 20th Asian Games on Sunday.  

Madis fell to hometown bet Himeno Sakatsume in straight sets, 1-6, 0-6, in the first match on center court at the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center.  

The WTA No. 119 Japanese star proved too much for Madis, dictating the pace from the start of the game.   

Madis put up a gallant stand against the hometown bet but ultimately lost the match.  

“I need to train hard pa po talaga. I mean hindi lang double time kungdi ten times pa na training. I need to palakasin pa yung muscles, yung physical ko po,” she told POC Media.  

The M'lang (North Cotabato) native relished the opportunity to play on center court against a formidable opponent in these games where Team Philippines’ participation is supported by the POC and PSC.  

“I’m excited po but at the same time I’m kinakabahan po kasi sa center court. But it’s an opportunity for me to play the center court and a seed seven player for Japan,” Madis shared.  

The 19-year-old said her training with the University of Hawai'i at Manoa helped prepare her and women's doubles teammate Stefi Aludo for the Asian Games. 

"We'll do our best. Gagapangin namin tomorrow yung laro namin. Kakayanin po namin," Madis said. 

"I'm so very thankful and blessed sa lahat ng lahat na binigay sa akin ng Philippine tennis. Pato po yung PHILTA, yung suporta po nila sa akin. I will always thank God for this opportunity na binigay niya sa akin and my family, my friends," he explained. 

Madis will stil compete in the women's doubles event, as she and Aludo open their campaign against Indonesia's Anjali Junarto and Meydiana Reinnamah. 

FEU extends winning streak to fifteen straight in UAAP women's football

 

c/o UAAP Media

In a match overshadowed by an unpleasant tussle between the two teams, Judie Arevalo’s brace powered Far Eastern University to a 4-0 win over the University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

Arevalo, the Season 88 Golden Boot awardee, scored in the 30th and 71st minutes, finding the back of the net with sumptuous finishes past Fighting Maroons goalkeeper Mariel Sancho.

Before Arevalo completed her brace, Iries Dela Cruz set the tone for the Lady Tamaraws with a header just four minutes into the match, while Julia Sacmar’s solo run into the box doubled the defending champions’ lead five minutes later.

“Sobrang ganda ng pinakita ng mga players, especially nung first half,” said FEU assistant coach Fitch Arboleda. “Lahat ng goals namin are coming from our plays. 'Yun ang madalas naming sinasabi sa kanila: we can win the game nang maganda kapag galing sa play talaga namin 'yung mga scores.”

Unfortunately, the match descended into unsavory scenes in the 72nd minute when both teams engaged in a fight that started with a clash between FEU’s Kristine Dela Peña and UP’s Angelica Dizon.

The resulting fracas saw three players from each side receive red cards. The Lady Tamaraws lost goalkeeper Blaine Barredo, Dela Peña, and Kyza Colina, while Sancho, Jessa May Aranas, and Ainnah De Guzman were dismissed for the Fighting Maroons.

Despite the incident, both sides performed the customary handshake at the final whistle and showed good sportsmanship toward one another.

“Very unfortunate lang,” said Arboleda. “Out of nowhere, nagdi-discuss kami kung sino ang i-su-sub namin para sa second wave sana ng system, pero nagulat lang kami.”

“We really don’t know paano nangyari 'yun. Learning din sa amin [at] sa mga players na 'pag may mga ganung instances, try not to engage kasi, 'yun nga, nakakaapekto sa mga sumusunod na games—and it’s not FEU.”

The result extended FEU’s winning streak to 15 matches and its unbeaten run to 33.

Both teams were also without their head coaches for the match. FEU’s Let Dimzon was away on personal business, while UP’s Anto Gonzales was serving a one-game suspension stemming from his red card last Wednesday against De La Salle University.

Both schools return to action on Wednesday at the same venue, with UP taking on neighbor Ateneo de Manila University at 4:30 p.m., followed by FEU’s clash against the University of Santo Tomas at 7 p.m.