NAGOYA, Japan — Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino expressed confidence that the country can still hit its goal of eight gold medals before the 20th Asian Games conclude in three days.
Reflecting on the nation’s remaining potential, Tolentino remarked following a morning mass:
”Napipitasan tayo, pero may umaangat. May awa ang Diyos.”
The Philippines currently holds a 3-4-12 medal count after archer Amaya Paz-Cojuangco secured a silver medal. To surpass or build upon its previous four-gold, two-silver, and 12-bronze showing from the Hangzhou Games, the delegation is leaning on key contenders across several sports.
Among those carrying the country’s hopes are tennis star Alex Eala—who has already locked in a bronze medal and aims to capture the nation’s first tennis gold since 1962—and jiu-jitsu champions Annie Ramirez (57kg) and Kimberly Custodio (45kg). Ramirez enters as the defending champion, while Custodio recently secured her fourth world title in August.
In boxing, Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam stands as the last Filipino fighter standing. Despite injuries sustained against Chinese and Kazakh opponents, Paalam is set to face Japan’s Rui Yamaguchi in the men’s 55kg final on Friday, October 2, at the Nishio Gymnasium, aiming to snap a 16-year gold medal drought for Philippine boxing at the Asian Games.
Regarding his upcoming final, Paalam stated:
”Gagawin ko po lahat, pero sana ipagdasal ako ng mga kabayan natin.”
Supporting the boxer’s final push, Tolentino added:
”I am praying that Paalam will win against a Japanese rival. Kung manalo siya bukas, at least match na natin ang showing natin noong Hangzhou Games.”
The POC chief acknowledged disappointment over the esports campaign, where the Sibol Mobile Legends: Bang Bang team suffered a surprising 1-2 quarterfinal defeat to Indonesia at the Aichi Sky Expo.
”Yun ang malaking sayang, but that’s life, you can’t win them all,” Tolentino noted regarding the loss.
Additional medal opportunities remain in judo with Chino Sy facing a Japanese opponent in the Round of 16, as well as taekwondo athletes Tachiana Mangin and Kurt Barbosa starting their campaigns on Friday.