Albert Ian Delos Santos bags Asian Games bronze; Olympians Paalam, Petecio advance to boxing QFs

Albert Ian Delos Santos captured the Philippines’ 10th medal in the 2026 Asian Games after bagging the bronze medal in weightlifting on Saturday in Japan.

Delos Santos finished third in the men’s 70kg event to hand the country its sixth bronze medal.

Olympic boxing medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio also advanced to the quarterfinals.

Paalam defeated India’s Jadumani Singh in the men’s 55kg event, while Petecio defeated Jordan’s Mays Alreem Abukhadijah after the referee stopped the contest in the second round of the women’s 60kg bout.

Another Olympian, athletics’ John Cabang, advanced to the men’s 110m hurdles final, which will be held on Sunday.

The Philippines' Pokemon UNITE team also advanced to the quarterfinals of the esports event.

Tennis star Alex Eala, meanwhile, has already arrived in Japan ahead of the Philippine tennis team’s Asian Games campaign.

Eala’s teammate Tenielle Madis will open her singles campaign, while the mixed doubles pair of Shaira Rivera and Francis Casey Alcantara will also commence their run.

READ MORE | Alex Eala and the Philippine tennis team at the 2026 Asian Games: Schedule and draw

The Alas Pilipinas men’s team will also begin its campaign against South Korea.

—JKC, GMA News