MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Chairman Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino stated that the national contingent’s original target of eight gold medals at the Asian Games in Nagoya was realistic, attributing the lower count to unfortunate setbacks among key athletes.
The country’s campaign was anchored by top finishes from pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Carlos Yulo, and virtual taekwondo athlete Jeus Yape. However, Tolentino highlighted the efforts of several silver medalists who fell just short of the top podium spot.
“So ‘di ko tinatanggi kasi matagal na alam namin ni [PSC] chairman [Pato Gregorio] na paghuhugutan talaga ‘yong eight… it’s more than eight,” Tolentino said during the Team Philippines Heroes’ Welcome on Monday, October 5.
He emphasized that the target remained within striking distance based on the close finishes in several championship matches.
“I can say na hindi ko pwedeng ikahiya na kaya talaga ‘yong eight… Yes, it was eight, doon lang tayo pipitas sa silver [at] bronze. Pitas lang para maging eight,” he added.
Tolentino pointed to narrow losses by boxer Carlo Paalam, taekwondo athlete Tachiana Mangin, archer Amaya Amparo Paz-Cojuangco, and mixed martial arts fighter Jean Claude Saclag as pivotal moments that prevented a higher gold count.
“Kay Carlo nakita niyo naman… that’s sure of gold. ‘Yong dalawang jiu-jitsu at taekwondo na silver, they got zero sa scoring [ta’s] ang nag-decide na lang, referee,” Tolentino noted.
“It was a referee decision… ‘Yong kay Saclag sa MMA… and one bronze that should have been gold, with due respect to Victoria [Bossong] sa heat time [ng women’s 800m] No. 1,” he added.
The Philippine delegation—comprising 452 athletes across 39 sports—wrapped up its campaign in Japan with a tally of four gold, nine silver, and 16 bronze medals. This performance placed the nation 17th overall in Asia and fourth among participating Southeast Asian countries.