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Tag: Asian Games 2026

  • Zavier Lucero hopes Asian Games call-up brings first Gilas Pilipinas 

    Zavier Lucero hopes Asian Games call-up brings first Gilas Pilipinas 

    For Zavier Lucero, making the Gilas Pilipinas preliminary roster is more than simply another name on a 30-man list. It represents a possible first step toward finally wearing the national team jersey he has long wanted to earn.

     

    The Magnolia Hotshots forward was included in the preliminary pool for the 20th Asian Games in Japan next month, putting him within reach of a potential national team debut under head coach Tim Cone.

     

    “Hopefully, I’m on that short list too and get to represent the country for the first time,” he told Tiebreaker Times Wednesday night, shortly after the Hotshots beat Phoenix for their third straight win in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.

     

    Lucero still has work to do before that dream becomes reality. The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has only submitted the long list required for the Asian Games, with Cone and his coaching staff still tasked with trimming the pool down to the final 12-man roster.

     

    Still, the opportunity gives the 29-year-old a fresh chance after coming close to joining Gilas in the past.

     

    The former University of the Philippines standout was initially part of the national team pool for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025, only to be removed while his eligibility was being verified. The Asian Games’ more relaxed eligibility rules could now work in his favor, particularly with the absence of several overseas-based Filipino players.

     

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    On the court, Lucero offers the type of physicality and athleticism that could make him an intriguing option for the frontcourt. His ability to defend, rebound and battle inside gives Cone another potential piece as the Philippines tries to defend the Asian Games gold medal it won in 2023.

     

    But Lucero knows being considered is still a long way from making the final cut.

    For now, he is simply embracing the opportunity and allowing himself to dream about what could be his biggest basketball honor yet.

     

    “It’s bigger than anything I’ve ever been a part of, so I’m very thankful to be considered,” said Lucero.

     

    “Like I said … Hopefully I’ll make that short list. I’m excited. I’m excited at the possibility, and it’s an honor.”

     

    For a player who has already experienced the highs of college and professional basketball, the possibility of finally representing the Philippines could be the next major chapter in Lucero’s career.

     

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  • Bennie Boatwright ruled out of Asian Games as Gilas Pilipinas suffers major blow

    Bennie Boatwright ruled out of Asian Games as Gilas Pilipinas suffers major blow

    Gilas Pilipinas has suffered a major blow ahead of the upcoming 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, with head coach Tim Cone confirming that naturalization prospect Bennie Boatwright will miss the tournament.

     

    Cone made the announcement during an appearance on Power and Play, the sports program hosted by former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Noli Eala, revealing that Boatwright will not receive his Philippine naturalization papers in time for the Asian Games.

     

    “Bennie is out there, he won’t be able to play in either tournament,” Cone said.

     

     

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    The 30-year-old forward could also miss the second round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, where the Philippines are scheduled to host Jordan and Iraq in August.

     

    “There is a slight possibility he could play in the window, the FIBA tournament with Iran and Jordan,” Cone said.

    “The Asian Games is obviously the tournament in Japan but Bennie won’t be available because his papers didn’t come in time. Japan has stricken him in the list. But there is a slight possibility he can make it for the window.”

     

    While Boatwright’s absence is a setback, Cone received some positive news regarding another key piece of the Gilas lineup.

     

    Naturalized star Justin Brownlee is expected to suit up for both the FIBA window and the Asian Games, provided he is fully healthy by then.

     

    “We expect Justin to play on that. Assuming he is 100 percent. By that time, so basically, Justin for the FIBA window, and Justin for the Asian Games,” Cone said.

     

    Brownlee’s availability will be closely monitored after the veteran forward dealt with several injuries in recent months, including issues involving his knee, leg and hamstring that have limited his playing time for Gilas.

     

    Cone will have to manage two different Gilas squads for the two competitions, with Dwight Ramos, Carl Tamayo and Kevin Quiambao unavailable for the Asian Games because of their commitments to clubs in Japan and South Korea.

     

    Despite the personnel challenges, the Philippines will enter the Asian Games as the defending champions after ending a 57-year wait for the men’s basketball gold medal with their triumph at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.

     

    With Boatwright out and several key players unavailable, Cone will now have to find the right combination to defend the Philippines’ Asian Games crown in Nagoya.

     

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  • Philippine squash team trains with Japan, Thailand in preparation for 2026 Asian Games

    Philippine squash team trains with Japan, Thailand in preparation for 2026 Asian Games

    The Philippine national squash team is stepping up its preparations for the upcoming 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, hosting players from Japan and Thailand for a week-long training camp at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

     

    Philippines head coach Wee Wern Low said the camp, which brought international opponents into the country, provides the team with valuable preparation ahead of the Asian Games.

     

    Four Japanese players and two from Thailand arrived in the Philippines last Monday and trained alongside the national team until Saturday, giving the Filipinos an opportunity to test themselves against different opponents and playing styles.

     

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    “The goal of this is to get more doubles practice, to familiarize with each other, and also play different pairings as well. We are used to playing with each other in training, so it’s good to have people from different countries and different playing styles this week around so that they can get better practice,” Low told the media last week.

    The Philippine squash contingent is composed of Reymark Begornia, Aero Dalida, Jemyca Aribado, Alyssa Dalida, David Pelino and Jonathan Reyes.

     

    While the Philippines does not have the same pedigree as some of Asia’s traditional squash powerhouses, Low believes the team’s underdog status could work to its advantage in Nagoya.

     

    “Yeah, I mean, the Asian Games is probably one of the biggest events in Asia, and playing for your country is obviously a very different feeling than playing for yourself in the professional circuit,” Low said.

     

    “So as Team Philippines go into the Asian Games, I mean, we are the underdogs. There’s nothing to lose and just all the experience to gain and to try their best against the much more experienced countries in Asia.”

     

    Malaysia enters the tournament as the prohibitive favorite after dominating the previous edition of the Asian Games, where it collected three gold medals, one silver and one bronze.

     

    India will also pose a significant threat, having won two gold medals, one silver and two bronze medals in the previous edition.

     

    For the Philippines, however, the focus is on maximizing its preparation and making the most of its opportunity against Asia’s best when the Asian Games gets underway in Nagoya.

     

     

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  • Philippine padel team steps up preparations for historic Asian Games debut

    Philippine padel team steps up preparations for historic Asian Games debut

    The Philippine national padel team is stepping up its preparations for what promises to be a historic moment for the rapidly growing sport in the country, with the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, now just over a month away.

     

    The Asian Games are scheduled to take place from September 19 to October 4, with Team Philippines preparing across several sporting disciplines as the country gets ready for one of Asia’s biggest multi-sport events.

     

    Among the sports making their debut on the continental stage is padel, with the Philippine delegation determined to make an immediate impression against the best players in Asia.

     

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    Team captain Argil Lance Canizares is leading the national squad alongside Jason Anthony Tamayo Lapidus, Tao Yee Tan and Marian Jade Capadocia, with the four athletes currently in Madrid, Spain, undergoing an intensive training camp ahead of their historic Asian Games campaign.

     

    The training stint in Spain is expected to provide the Filipino players with valuable exposure to a country where padel has developed into one of the world’s most popular and competitive padel markets.

     

    With the Asian Games providing an entirely new level of competition, the Philippine team is using every available opportunity to sharpen its skills, improve its chemistry and familiarize itself with the demands of international competition.

     

    The squad will enter the Asian Games with considerable confidence after producing an impressive showing at the Asia Pacific Padel Cup (APPC) 2026 in June.

     

    Team Philippines won back-to-back professional division titles at the APPC, which was held at Play Padel McKinley West in Taguig City, giving the national team an important boost heading into its biggest international test yet.

     

    The strong performance also provided an indication of the progress being made by Philippine padel and the growing depth of talent available to the national program.

     

    For Padel Pilipinas president Jeff Cheng, the Asian Games represents a significant milestone not only for the national team but also for the sport’s development in the Philippines.

    “The Asian Games represents a historic opportunity for padel in the Philippines. The inclusion of padel on this stage reflects the sport’s rapid growth across Asia, and we are committed to ensuring that our athletes are ready to compete against the continent’s best,” Cheng said in a media interaction.

     

    “We hope to showcase not only the talent of our players, but also the progress the Philippines has made in developing the sport.”

     

    The Asian Games appearance is expected to provide the Philippines with an opportunity to measure its progress against established padel nations while exposing its players to a much wider international field.

     

    The national team will also hope to use the experience to further raise the profile of the sport back home and inspire more Filipinos to take up the rapidly expanding racket sport.

     

    Padel Pilipinas secretary general Atty. Duane Santos likewise highlighted the importance of the team’s recent success at the APPC, saying the experience will serve as an important foundation for the challenges ahead.

     

    “We are proud of what was accomplished at APPC 2026, and now our work continues,” Santos said.

     

    “The experience gained here will be invaluable as we prepare for the challenges ahead and continue striving to raise the level of padel in the Philippines.”

     

    The recent APPC triumphs have given the national team momentum, but the Asian Games will present a considerably tougher challenge.

     

    Competing against the continent’s leading padel players will test the Filipinos’ ability to perform under pressure and adapt to a higher level of competition.

     

    For Canizares, Lapidus, Tan and Capadocia, the training camp in Madrid represents an important part of that preparation.

     

    The Philippines will be making its debut in padel at the Asian Games, making the upcoming competition an opportunity to establish a foundation for the sport’s future participation in major international events.

     

    Beyond the results, the national team will be looking to showcase the rapid development of Philippine padel and demonstrate that the country can compete on the continental stage.

     

    With its recent success at the APPC, an intensive overseas training program and months of preparation behind it, Team Philippines heads to Nagoya with growing confidence.

    The next step is to translate that progress onto the Asian Games court and make the country’s historic padel debut one to remember.

     

     

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  • Shaina Nitura eager to play if Alas Pilipinas calls again for Asian Games duty 

    Shaina Nitura eager to play if Alas Pilipinas calls again for Asian Games duty 

    For most athletes, an injury means waiting. For Shaina Nitura, it has only strengthened her desire to wear the Philippine colors once again.

     

    The reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player has been watching from the sidelines as Alas Pilipinas competes in the ongoing 6th SEA V.League, with a left foot injury preventing her from joining the national team’s campaign in both legs of the regional tournament.

     

    While the setback forced one of the country’s brightest young stars to temporarily pause her international journey, Nitura has already set her sights on the next opportunity that could come much sooner than expected.

     

    With the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya fast approaching, the Adamson standout remains hopeful that another call-up could be waiting once she is fully healthy.

     

    “Masaya siya and looking forward kung sakaling mapasama ako sa lineup. Great opportunity siya sa akin and andaming pwede kong makuha na experience and learning kasi one of the biggest stages na ‘yun na pwede mong ma-achieve as a player,” Nitura said.

     

    “Kung mabigyan ako ng opportunity to play there, ite-take advantage ko lahat ng opportunity na kaya kong kunin and learnings na pwede kong kunin para madala ko ulit for my team and myself.”

    Representing Alas Pilipinas has already become one of the defining experiences of Nitura’s young career—not only because of the competition, but because it placed her alongside players she once admired from afar.

     

    Long before becoming one of Philippine volleyball’s biggest stars herself, Nitura grew up watching many of the national team’s veterans. Sharing the same court with them became something she never imagined would happen so early in her career.

     

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    “It feels very special kasi ‘yung mga nakasama ko du’n, mga beterano na eh. Since bata ako, na hindi pa ako nag-start mag-volleyball, nakikita ko na sila maglaro. So who would have thought na, sa college career ko, makakasama ko silang mag-training, makakasama sa loob ng court to compete against other countries or other players,” she said.

     

    “Ano siya sa akin, overwhelming and very special. Lagi ko siyang tine-treasure kasi I never expected na gano’n din sila ka-humble.”

     

    Beyond sharing the jersey with some of the country’s most accomplished players, Nitura said the biggest reward has been learning directly from teammates who have already experienced the highs and lows of international volleyball.

     

    Rather than treating her as one of the younger members of the squad, the veterans welcomed her with guidance and constant encouragement, lessons she continues to carry even while recovering from injury.

     

    “Ang dami ko kasi talagang natutunan sa kanila. Through ups and downs, talagang gano’n pa rin sila, at ginagabayan nila ako. Alam na nila ‘yung sasabihin sa akin kasi na-experience nila. ‘Yun talaga ‘yung nagpapa-special para sa akin,” she said.

     

    For now, Nitura’s priority remains returning to full fitness, but her ambitions have not changed.

    If the opportunity comes to represent the Philippines in Japan, the UAAP MVP is ready to trade rehabilitation for competition once again and continue building her journey with Alas Pilipinas on one of the biggest stages in Asian sports.

     

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  • Philippine Blu Girls set sights on elusive Asian Games podium finish 

    Philippine Blu Girls set sights on elusive Asian Games podium finish 

    Years of near misses have only fueled the Philippine Blu Girls’ determination to finally break through on the Asian Games stage.

     

    Fresh from a fifth-place finish at the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup in Lima, Peru, the Philippine women’s national softball team is setting its sights on a podium finish at the 12th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

     

    The Blu Girls have reached the semifinals in three different editions of the Asian Games but have yet to convert those appearances into a medal. 

     

    After a heartbreaking campaign in Hangzhou, the team believes its latest international experience has prepared it for another shot at history.

     

    Leading that mission is team captain Charlotte Sales, who joined co-captain Royevel Palma and assistant coach Rizza Bernardino at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum held at the Philippine Sports Commission on Tuesday to discuss the team’s preparations and expectations for the continental meet.

     

    “This Asian Games pinapangako namin sa mga sarili namin na yung iyak namin happy tears naman this time,” Sales said.

     

    The disappointment of the previous Asian Games remains a strong source of motivation for the squad after falling in the bronze medal match in Hangzhou.

     

    “Yung huli (2023 Hangzhou) heartbroken pa rin kaming lahat kasi natalo pa rin kami sa bronze medal match,” she said.

     

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    That painful finish has strengthened the Blu Girls’ resolve as they prepare for another medal bid, this time carrying the confidence gained from their recent World Cup campaign.

     

    The Filipinas placed fifth at the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup in Peru, a result that reflected the progress made by the team following an extensive training camp in Japan.

     

    “Naging maganda yung training camp kasi ang daming nag-improve (sa team). Maraming tinuro sa amin yung Japan team. Hindi sila madamot magbigay ng skills and anything na makakatulong sa amin,” Bernardino said.

     

    The Blu Girls are currently training at the Polo Club before departing for another training camp in Japan on August 21. From there, they will head directly to Nagoya for the Asian Games.

     

    Head coach Ana Santiago will lead a roster made up of 12 local players and five Filipino-Americans, a lineup Bernardino believes has earned its place through consistent performances on the international stage.

     

    “Nagbi-base po talaga kami sa performance nila and sa world cup where lahat po sila ay nag-perform. So, alam po namin na best of the best na po ‘yong na-pick namin,” Bernardino said.

     

    The road to a medal, however, will not come easy. Awaiting the Blu Girls are perennial powerhouse Japan, which is chasing a seventh straight Asian Games title, along with regional contenders China and Chinese Taipei.

     

    Still, after years of falling just short, the Blu Girls are embracing another opportunity to rewrite their Asian Games story.

     

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  • “It was a difficult decision”: Eumir Marcial opens up on skipping Asian Games to focus on professional boxing career

    “It was a difficult decision”: Eumir Marcial opens up on skipping Asian Games to focus on professional boxing career

    Eumir Marcial has long established himself as one of the Philippines’ finest boxers, building an impressive résumé that includes medals at the Olympic Games, World Championships, Asian Games, and Southeast Asian Games. But as he enters a crucial stage of his career, the Filipino middleweight has made it clear that his focus is now firmly set on achieving his ultimate dream in the professional ranks—a world championship.

     

    The 30-year-old southpaw has confirmed that he will skip the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, opting instead to continue climbing the professional rankings as he pursues a world title opportunity.

     

    Marcial, the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) International middleweight champion, is currently preparing for the eighth fight of his professional career, scheduled for September 19—the same day as the opening ceremony of the Asian Games. With another regional title expected to be on the line, Marcial believes remaining active in the professional circuit is the best path toward securing a world title shot next year.

     

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    The decision marks a significant shift for one of the country’s most decorated amateur boxers, who has proudly represented the Philippines in numerous international competitions throughout his career.

     

    Speaking during a media interaction, Marcial revealed that he had already informed Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) president Marcus Manalo of his decision.

     

    “It’s a very hard decision but at the same time, I need to continue what I started in my professional career. They respected my decision because I need to go up in the rankings so I can pursue a world title fight by next year,” Marcial said.

    Although stepping away from the Asian Games was not an easy choice, Marcial emphasized that the timing of his professional career leaves him little room to balance both campaigns.

     

    The Olympic bronze medalist has already spent time training in Japan and is expected to fly to Las Vegas next week, where he will continue preparations under renowned coach Kay Koroma as he fine-tunes his game for his upcoming bout.

     

    “I have already represented the country many times since I went pro. It’s really about time and another regional title belt is also on the line,” he added.

     

    Marcial enters his next fight carrying an unblemished professional record of 7-0 with four knockouts, a run that has steadily strengthened his reputation as one of the most promising Filipino fighters in the middleweight division.

     

    His most recent outing came during the 50th anniversary celebration of the historic “Thrilla in Manila” in October 2025 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where he earned a hard-fought victory over Venezuela’s Eddy Colmenares. The win not only preserved his perfect record but also reinforced his readiness to compete against higher-ranked opposition as he inches closer to a world championship opportunity.

     

    While his immediate focus is on professional boxing, Marcial has not completely closed the door on amateur competition. The Zamboanga native confirmed that he still intends to pursue qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, where he hopes to compete in his third Olympics.

     

    “Los Angeles Olympics? Yes. I will try my best to qualify next year and compete for the third time in the Olympics. But for now, I really need to concentrate on my pro career and get a world title shot. Again, it was a difficult decision, but I need to,” Marcial said.

     

    Marcial’s amateur accomplishments have already secured his place among the country’s boxing greats. In addition to winning a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, he captured a silver medal at the 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships and has collected multiple medals in both the Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games.

     

    Now entering the prime of his career, Marcial is chasing the one achievement still missing from his decorated résumé—a world championship in the professional ranks. While the Asian Games will move forward without one of the Philippines’ biggest boxing stars, Marcial believes the sacrifice is necessary as he pursues the next—and perhaps biggest—chapter of his career.

     

     

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  • Adrian Nocum’s Gilas dream moves closer after earning spot in Asian Games long list 

    Adrian Nocum’s Gilas dream moves closer after earning spot in Asian Games long list 

    For years, Adrian Nocum’s rise has been fueled by one thing—proving he belongs.

     

    Now, that journey has brought him to the doorstep of Gilas Pilipinas.

     

    The Rain or Shine guard has been included in the national team’s long list for the 20th Asian Games in Japan this September, placing him one step closer to wearing the Philippine jersey for the first time.

     

    While a final roster spot remains far from guaranteed, the recognition alone is another milestone in what has been a breakout stretch for the 26-year-old playmaker.

     

    “Siyempre, masarap sa feeling,” Nocum told reporters after Rain or Shine’s thrilling 85-83 victory over Meralco in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.

     

    The news came directly from someone who knows both worlds well.

     

    Rain or Shine lead assistant coach Caloy Garcia, who also serves as part of the Gilas Pilipinas coaching staff, personally informed Nocum and newly appointed Elasto Painters captain Caelan Tiongson that they had been included among the national team’s pool of candidates.

     

    “Kinausap kami ni Coach Caloy Garcia, kasama kami raw. Parang sinama lang kami sa list, kaming dalawa ni Caelan Tiongson,” he shared.

     

    For Nocum, the call-up reflects months of consistent growth.

     

    Following Gian Mamuyac’s departure, the former Mapua standout has embraced a larger role, evolving from an energy guard into one of Rain or Shine’s primary offensive creators.

    The numbers tell the story.

     

    Through the Governors’ Cup, Nocum is averaging 17.6 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.0 rebounds while helping power the Elasto Painters’ surge in the standings.

     

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    His biggest statement came just days earlier when he erupted for a career-high 31 points, including the game-winning layup with 5.6 seconds left, to lift Rain or Shine past Magnolia, 98-97.

     

    Even with those performances, Nocum admits making the Gilas conversation still feels surreal.

     

    “Sobrang blessed. Sobrang daming magagaling dito sa PBA, and mas talented, mas malaki, alam mo ‘yun? Pero naisama tayo,” he said.

     

    The Tondo native has steadily earned respect around the league, including praise from former Gilas guard Paul Lee, while his recent performances have sparked growing calls from fans for him to receive a national team opportunity.

     

    Now, with his name officially part of the Asian Games pool, those calls are no longer just wishful thinking.

     

    Whether he ultimately cracks Tim Cone’s final lineup remains to be seen, but Nocum is embracing the opportunity with the same mindset that fueled his climb from collegiate star to one of the PBA’s fastest-rising guards.

     

    “Alam naman natin na ang daming magagaling dito sa PBA na mas matagal pa sa atin, pero nasama tayo sa list. Malaking bagay ‘yun,” he said.

     

    “At kung mabibigyan naman ng chance, subukan natin. Banat!”

     

     

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  • SBP confident long Gilas stint can strengthen squad for FIBA, Asian Games campaigns

    SBP confident long Gilas stint can strengthen squad for FIBA, Asian Games campaigns

    With the second round of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers immediately followed by the 2026 Asian Games, the national team is set to spend more than a month together—a stretch Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Erika Dy believes could strengthen the squad heading into two major international competitions.


    “It’s a good development for us that the Asian Games will happen almost immediately after the (FIBA) windows,” Dy said.

     

    The extended campaign begins with Gilas assembling for training in the Philippines once the PBA Governors’ Cup pauses on Aug. 15. After more than two weeks of preparation, the team will head to South Korea for a pair of tune-up games before flying directly to Japan for the Asian Games.

     

    “We leave for Korea on September 3 because we will be playing friendlies against the Korean national team on the 4th and 6th,” said the SBP executive on the sidelines of the Hustle 5: EASL Future Champions championship game between Cebu and Macau.

     

    “Tapos on the 7th, diretso na tayo sa Asian Games.”

     

    This year’s schedule offers little downtime. Unlike previous editions where other sports opened the competition, men’s basketball will be among the first events to begin even before the official opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Japan, marking the tournament’s return to the country since Hiroshima hosted the event in 1994.

     

    “Basketball in the Asian Games will start earlier than the opening ceremony itself. So September 10 to 20 ang men’s basketball,” said Dy.

     

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    “Diretso tayo halos isang buwan or even more than a month na magkakasama yung mga players natin,” she added.

     

    Before shifting its focus to the Asian Games, Gilas faces crucial business in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. The Philippines hosts Jordan on Aug. 28 and Iran on Aug. 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena as the second round gets underway.

     

    The Nationals enter the next phase looking to recover from back-to-back losses to New Zealand and Australia in the third qualifying window earlier this month. Those defeats left Gilas tied with Syria for fifth place in Group E with a 2-4 record.

     

    Australia remains unbeaten atop the standings at 6-0, while Iran and Jordan share second place with identical 5-1 slates. New Zealand sits fourth at 4-2.

     

    The compressed schedule also leaves room for adjustments in the national team roster. Because eligibility rules differ between FIBA competitions and the Asian Games, some changes are expected, although Dy emphasized that the foundation of the squad will remain largely the same.

     

    “There might be a few changes, but the core of the team should be intact. Those who weren’t eligible in Fiba competition as a local, we can consider them to play for the Asian Games,” she said. 

     

    Maintaining that continuity could prove valuable as Gilas attempts to improve its standing in the World Cup qualifiers before turning its attention to another chance at regional success in the Asian Games, where an extended period together may become one of the team’s biggest advantages.

     

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  • Filipinas, PMNT set for challenging group-stage campaign at Asian Games

    Filipinas, PMNT set for challenging group-stage campaign at Asian Games

    The road to the 20th Asian Games will offer no easy passage for Philippine football, but it also presents an opportunity for both the Filipinas and the country’s men’s under-23 squad to gauge how far they have progressed against Asia’s established powers.


    Following Thursday’s official draw, the Philippines found itself in demanding groups in both the women’s and men’s football tournaments, setting the stage for a series of tests when the Games kick off in Japan from September 14 to October 3.

     

    For the Filipinas, the challenge begins in Group G, where they will square off against regional heavyweight China, the reigning Asian Games bronze medalist, nine-time AFC Women’s Asian Cup champion, and the tournament’s highest-ranked team in the group at No. 16 in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings.

     

    The Philippines, currently ranked No. 39, will also face No. 51 Uzbekistan and No. 81 Hong Kong as they seek to advance beyond the opening phase.

     

    China enters the tournament with recent Asian Games success after defeating Uzbekistan in the bronze-medal match of the previous edition. 

     

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    Uzbekistan, meanwhile, reached the semifinals of the last Asiad, making Group G one of the more competitive sections of the women’s competition.

     

    Defending champion Japan headlines Group E alongside Chinese Taipei, Vietnam, and Thailand, while Group F features South Korea, North Korea, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

     

    For the Philippine men’s under-23 side, simply returning to the Asian Games already marks a significant milestone after earning a late berth in the tournament. The reward, however, is a difficult assignment.

     

    The Filipinos, ranked No. 135, enter Group C as the lowest-ranked nation in the pool and will face No. 50 Uzbekistan, No. 99 Vietnam, and No. 133 Kuwait.

     

    The tournament also features a stacked Group A led by host nation Japan, together with North Korea, Palestine, and Yemen. Group B includes South Korea, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia, while Group D is composed of China, Iran, Indonesia, and Tajikistan.

     

    Beyond the Asian Games, the Philippine men’s senior national team is also preparing for a busy stretch on the regional calendar.

     

    The squad will aim to capture its first-ever ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 title in the coming weeks before taking part in the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup, scheduled from September 21 to October 6.

    As both national teams continue their preparations, the Asian Games will provide another benchmark for Philippine football.

     

    The Filipinas head into the tournament looking to sustain the momentum generated by another FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification and continue proving they can compete with Asia’s elite.

     

     Meanwhile, the men’s under-23 squad returns to the continental stage with the chance to test itself against higher-ranked opposition and measure its development in one of the region’s premier multi-sport events.

     

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