POC hopes for 8 golds in 2026 Asian Games

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino hopes the Philippine delegation can bring home eight gold medals from the upcoming 2026 Asian Games in Japan.

The target is twice the four gold medals the Philippines won in both the 2018 and 2023 editions of the Asiad.

“Nag-usap po kami ni Chairman Pato [Gregorio], kaya raw ‘yung pito,” Tolentino said on Thursday during the send-off ceremony for the Asian Games-bound athletes.

“Pero dagdagan natin. Mangangarap na lang din tayo, gawin nating walo,” he said.

Tolentino expects the Philippines to win four gold medals from combat sports and four from non-combat sports.

“There will be no pressure, pero ilabas n’yo lahat ng galing n’yo,” Tolentino said as he rallied the Japan-bound athletes.

POC president Abraham Tolentino to Asian Games-bound athletes: There will be no pressure, pero itodo n'yo na. @gmasportsph @gmanews pic.twitter.com/6W21V0HTib

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) September 10, 2026

In the previous Asian Games, the Philippines won gold medals through EJ Obiena in athletics, Annie Ramirez and Meggie Ochoa in jiu-jitsu, and Gilas Pilipinas in basketball.

Tolentino identified jiu-jitsu, boxing, and mixed martial arts as potential gold-medal sources. He also pointed to tennis star Alex Eala, gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Karl Eldrew Yulo, as well as athletes from esports, swimming, and skateboarding as potential winners.

The POC president also noted that the next Asian Games will be held in 2031, encouraging the athletes to give their best in this year’s competition.

The Asian Games will officially open on September 19, but the Philippines will begin its campaign on Friday, with Gilas Pilipinas seeing action first.

—GMA News