Philippine Olympic Committee formalizes partnerships with SportsPlus, SMART

(From left to right) Karate Pilipinas President Richard Lim, SportsPlus Head of Partnerships James da Costa, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, PLDT_Smart Communications First Vice President Jude Turcuato

SportsPlus, the No. 1 sportsbook in the country and a trusted PAGCOR-regulated platform, has officially entered into a four-year partnership with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) from 2025 to 2029, providing crucial support leading up to and through the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as Official Gaming Partner. Smart Communications, Inc. will serve as the Official Connectivity Partner, providing telecommunications support for the initiative.

The partnership – signed by Mr. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, President of the POC; Mr. Jude H. Turcuato, First Vice President and Head of Sports at PLDT/Smart; and Mr. James da Costa, Head of Partnerships of SportsPlus – was officially sealed during a contract signing held on September 17, 2025, at Gameville Ball Park in Mandaluyong City.

The contract signing marked SportsPlus’ commitment to POC in giving Filipino athletes the tools, support, and visibility they need on their journey to the world’s biggest sporting stages. This includes essential athlete support, from training resources to connectivity tools - with Smart providing the products and services that keep athletes connected to their families, coaches, and fans throughout their training and competitions.

For SportsPlus, this partnership shows its strong commitment to Philippine sports, providing steady and meaningful support that helps athletes train, compete, and shine on the world stage. By working closely with the POC, SportsPlus aims to share more athlete stories, bring fans closer to the action, and promote the pride of Philippine sports here and abroad. Over the next four years, SportsPlus will invest in projects that keep athletes engaged with their fans – from digital campaigns and athlete stories to send-off events before major competitions. These efforts are designed to celebrate Filipino sporting excellence while inspiring the next generation of athletes to dream big.

As part of its athlete-first commitment, SportsPlus also recognized the outstanding performance of the country’s medalists from The World Games held in Chengdu, China  – Aislinn Yap, Carlos Baylon Jr., Kaila Napolis, and Chezka Centeno. SportsPlus will award each of them an iPhone 17 to help them stay connected as they continue to represent the Philippines.

“SportsPlus is more than a partner—we are a dedicated supporter of the exceptional talent and spirit of the Filipino athlete.  From grassroots development to the professional ranks and onto the world stage, SportsPlus is committed to standing with athletes every step of the way,” said SportsPlus Head of Partnerships James da Costa. “This partnership  is our pledge to provide the support, visibility, and resources they need to excel and bring pride to the nation.”

POC President Bambol Tolentino shared, "This collaboration with Smart and SportsPlus is a big boost for our athletes. The most important thing is preparation in all our undertakings, and these partnerships provide exactly that. With partners who are truly passionate about Philippine sports, we may not just bring home two medals like we did in the Paris Olympics  — we can achieve even more."

“Through this partnership with SportsPlus and the Philippine Olympic Committee, Smart will ensure that our athletes are connected, whether it's by providing world-class connectivity for training, live streaming sports content, or keeping our national athletes in touch with their families and supporters, especially when they compete abroad,” added Smart Communications, Inc. First Vice President and Head of Sports Jude H. Turcuato.