The Philippines is getting another major dose of world-class tennis

𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗚𝗢𝗟𝗗𝗦. 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗬𝗦. 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗣𝗨𝗦𝗛. 

With only three days remaining in the 2026 Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya, the country remains short of its eight-gold target.

The road has not been perfect. Some medal hopes have fallen short, opportunities have slipped away, and the shocking quarterfinal exit of Sibol Mobile Legends: Bang Bang against Indonesia left another painful “what if” hanging over Team Philippines.

But with the finish line approaching, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino is choosing to look forward.

“Napipitasan tayo, pero may umaangat. May awa ang Diyos.”

And there is still plenty to fight for.

At the center of the final push is Alex Eala, already assured of at least a bronze medal but chasing something much bigger — an Asian Games gold that would make her the first Filipino tennis player to reach the top of the podium since the legendary Johnny Jose in 1962.

Then there is Carlo Paalam.

The Tokyo Olympic silver medalist is the Philippines’ lone boxer still standing and is set for a gold-medal showdown with Japan’s Rui Yamaguchi in the men’s 55kg division. Despite the bruises accumulated along the way, Paalam remains determined to give everything in what he calls a “mother of all battles.”

For Philippine boxing, the stakes are even bigger: a victory would finally end a 16-year wait for an Asian Games gold medal in the sport.

The country’s jiu-jitsu hopes are equally formidable.

Annie Ramirez, the defending champion and two-time world champion, is chasing another Asian Games crown, while Kimberly Custodio, a four-time world champion whose latest title came just last August, is also in the hunt.

And the list does not stop there.

Chino Sy carries the country’s hopes in judo, while taekwondo veterans Tachiana Mangin and Kurt Barbosa begin their campaigns with gold on their minds.

There have been disappointments.

There have been medals that slipped away.

But the Asian Games are not decided by what has already happened.

They are decided by what comes next.

Three days remain.

Five golds remain on the target.

And for Team Philippines, the final push begins now.

NO LOOKING BACK. NO COUNTING OUT. JUST ONE MORE FIGHT AFTER ANOTHER. 🇵🇭🔥

𝗕𝗟𝗨 𝗚𝗜𝗥𝗟𝗦 𝗥𝗢𝗔𝗥!  

The Philippine Blu Girls continued their impressive turnaround in the 2026 Asian Games women’s softball tournament, shutting out Singapore, 10-0, in just four innings Wednesday at Anjo Softball Ground.

The victory kept the Philippines firmly in fourth place and improved the Blu Girls to a 3-2 record, keeping their hopes alive of reaching at least the bronze-medal match on Saturday.

Powering the rout were Mylia Isabel Perez and Nicole Hammoude, who each launched a two-run homer as the Philippines erupted for six runs in the opening inning before finishing the job under the tournament’s 10-run mercy rule.

In the circle, Glory Alonzo and Mary Joy Alpitche split pitching duties, with Alpitche striking out three as the Blu Girls completely shut down Singapore.

But the celebration will be short.

Waiting next is unbeaten China, which enters Thursday’s showdown with a perfect 5-0 record. The game is scheduled for 10 a.m. Manila time.

It is the kind of matchup that can define a tournament run.

The Blu Girls have found their rhythm.

Now they face the team that hasn’t lost.

CHINA VS. THE BLU GIRLS. LET THE ROAR BEGIN. 

𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗗 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘’𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗠? 𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗦 𝗠𝗘𝗡 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛 𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗔! 

Alas Pilipinas Men return to action in the 2026 Asian Games classification round, facing familiar Southeast Asian rival Indonesia as they look to finally break through against a team that has already beaten them twice this year.

The Nationals finished at the bottom of Pool D after falling to Korea, China, and Chinese Taipei. After being swept in their first two matches, Alas managed to take a set from Chinese Taipei in their final preliminary-round assignment.

Indonesia also had a difficult group stage, finishing with a 1-2 record. The Indonesians pushed both Thailand and Iran to five sets before falling short, while their lone win came against Kyrgyzstan in straight sets.

Now, the rivalry gets another chapter.

Thursday’s clash marks the third meeting between the Philippines and Indonesia this year. Indonesia swept Alas in the opening leg of the SEA V.Cup in July before taking a four-set victory in the second leg.

For Alas Men, there is no need for extra motivation.

Bryan Bagunas, Marck Espejo, Joshua Magalaman, and Owa Retamar will be among those expected to lead the charge as the Nationals hunt for a much-needed breakthrough in Aichi-Nagoya.

They’ve seen Indonesia before.

They know what went wrong.

NOW, ALAS MEN GET ONE MORE SHOT TO CHANGE THE STORY.

𝗘𝗝 𝗢𝗕𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗔 𝗜𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗡. 

It felt like a fresh start.

The two-time Olympian stamped his authority as Asia’s top pole vaulter on Tuesday, clearing 5.91 meters at Paloma Mizuho Stadium to win gold and establish a new Asian Games record.

But the number on the scoreboard wasn't the biggest story.

Obiena says he has found himself again.

After admitting that he struggled to enjoy the sport following the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 30-year-old Filipino said his latest triumph brought back something he had been missing—the excitement, pressure and emotion that made him love competing.

“It’s a bit of a reborn, a little bit of a different me.”

And perhaps that is the most dangerous version of Obiena—not simply the athlete chasing heights, but the athlete who is having fun again.

He acknowledged feeling somewhat empty in the period after Paris, saying he had lost some of the excitement he once felt in training and competition.

Now, that fire is back.

And suddenly, Los Angeles 2028 doesn't look so far away. 🇺🇸🔥

Obiena said he sees no reason not to chase another Olympic appearance—as long as he remains healthy, qualifies and, most importantly, continues enjoying the sport.

That last part might be the biggest development of all.

Because when an athlete stops chasing medals and starts enjoying the climb again, the ceiling can get very high.

For now, Obiena will take a well-earned break in Manila with his family before returning to training in Athens, Greece.

Rest now.

Then jump again.

THE REBORN EJ OBIENA IS READY TO FLY.

50 STATES. ONE FLAME. ONE OLYMPIC DREAM 

Atlanta will make history as the first U.S. stop for the Olympic flame after it arrives from Greece, officially kicking off a torch relay unlike any the country has seen before. 🇬🇷➡️🇺🇸

And here's what makes it massive: the Olympic flame is set to travel through all 50 states.

From America's biggest cities to its smallest communities, the torch will bring the Olympic spirit directly to the people—turning the countdown to Los Angeles into a celebration far beyond the host city.

This isn't just about carrying a flame.

It's about carrying a symbol of sport, dreams, perseverance and unity across an entire nation.  

Atlanta gets the first chapter.

Los Angeles gets the grand finale.

But all 50 states get to be part of the story.

LA 2028 IS COMING—AND AMERICA IS GETTING READY TO CARRY THE FLAME.