Several key sporting events will kick off ahead of the official September 19 opening ceremony of the 20th Asian Games at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Japan, offering early action for Philippine contingents.
Basketball leads the early schedule as Gilas Pilipinas begins its run on September 10 at the Aichi International Arena. The Philippine national men’s and women’s volleyball squads enter the frame on September 16 at Okazaki Central Park Gym, while football matches launch on September 14 across seven venues.
The continental meet will also feature six new medal sports: padel, surfing, freestyle BMX, mixed martial arts, virtual taekwondo, and teqball, which starts September 18 with a four-member Philippine delegation spearheaded by Fernando Casares.
Traditional regional powers will see action in cricket and hockey on September 17 and 18, respectively.
Reigning Asian Games basketball champions Gilas Pilipinas begin their title defense on September 11 against Bahrain, followed by group matches against Kazakhstan on September 12 and China on September 14. The Gilas Women’s squad will face the same group opponents, needing a single win to secure a quarterfinal berth.
Tennis star Alex Eala is expected to make her tournament appearance on September 19, following the start of tennis events on September 17.
Meanwhile, two-time Paris Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo starts his gymnastics campaign on September 21 at the Nagoya City General Gymnasium, and defending pole vault champion EJ Obiena begins his title defense on September 23.