Sometimes, a medal starts with a decision to invest.

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.  

𝗡𝗢 𝗚𝗢𝗟𝗗, 𝗕𝗨𝗧 𝗔 𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗖 𝗦𝗜𝗟𝗩𝗘𝗥!  

The veteran archer delivered a landmark performance at the 20th Asian Games in Japan, capturing the Philippines’ first-ever silver medal in archery after a thrilling gold-medal match at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square.

More importantly, Cojuangco became the first Filipino archer to reach an Asian Games gold-medal match—a feat that had eluded the country for decades.

She went toe-to-toe with Indonesia’s Nurisa Dian Ashrifah, splitting the first four ends before the Indonesian archer edged the deciding fifth end, 29-27, to win by just 139-137.

That two-point margin says everything about how close this battle was.

Cojuangco’s road to the final was just as impressive. She dominated Iran’s Bita Asheghzadeh Oskouei, 146-135, firing three perfect 30-point ends, before surviving South Korea’s Park Jungyoon, 142-141, in a nail-biting semifinal.

A silver medal? Absolutely.

But this feels bigger than silver.

Cojuangco has now pushed the ceiling of Philippine archery higher than ever before, surpassing the bronze won by Paul Marton Dela Cruz in 2014 as the country’s best-ever Asian Games finish in the sport.

THE PHILIPPINES HAS ARRIVED IN ASIAN GAMES ARCHERY.  

And Amaya Cojuangco just made sure history will remember it.

In the volatile world of professional basketball where coaching carousels turn overnight, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters just sent a seismic shockwave of stability across the PBA landscape.The mastermind isn't going anywhere. Rain or Shine management has officially signed firebrand head coach Yeng Guiao to a monumental contract extension that will keep him at the helm of the franchise until 2030.

In a massive display of corporate faith, the new deal—which adds an extra two years to his horizon—was signed despite Guiao still having two years left on his current five-year pact.The statement from team co-owners Raymund Yu and Terry Que is loud, clear, and absolute: 

Trust the process. 

Trust the coach. Trust the culture.The Culture Is the CatalystWhen Coach Yeng returned to the Elasto Painters baseline in 2022 after a six-year stint with NLEX, he inherited a franchise searching for its lost identity. What followed wasn't a quick-fix patch, but a complete structural overhaul.Since his return, Rain or Shine has transformed from a lottery-bound, rebuilding squad into a legitimate, feared title contender. Under his watchful eye, the Elasto Painters have stormed their way into the semifinals in five of the last six conferences.That kind of consistent deep playoff execution isn't a fluke. 

That is the byproduct of an unyielding system.Instead of chasing high-priced superstars, Guiao went to work in the laboratory, developing a lethal, high-octane young core led by Adrian Nocum, Jhonard Clarito, Andrei Caracut, and Santi Santillan. By locking Guiao down until 2030, management is guaranteeing that this young core will reach its absolute prime under the exact architect who drafted them.From Stability to SilverwareThe timing of the announcement provides a massive psychological boost right before the season-ending Governors’ Cup resumes this October. 

Rain or Shine currently sits comfortably at the top tier of Group B with a strong 4-2 win-loss slate.To make things even scarier for the rest of the league, the Elasto Painters recently paraded powerhouse veteran Stanley Pringle and speedy sophomore sensation Felix Lemetti in a competitive tune-up game against the Korean Basketball League's (KBL) LG Sakers.Guiao already steered the franchise to its only two PBA championships during his first legendary stint from 2011 to 2016, including their last taste of glory in the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup.

The question was never whether Rain or Shine believed in Yeng Guiao's blueprint. The front office just gave the entire basketball community a definitive, long-term answer.Now, with his future cemented and the pieces firmly on the board, the clock begins to tick: Can the Elasto Painters translate ultimate organizational stability into championship silverware?

They fought until the final drop of sweat, but the comeback story was not meant to be.

Alas Pilipinas Women saw their podium dreams come to a painful halt after bowing to a resilient Kazakhstan squad in a grueling four-set thriller, 27-29, 26-24, 25-23, 25-19, in their Pool B encounter at the 20th Asian Games at the Aichi International Arena.

The stinging defeat officially eliminates the Philippines from medal contention, drawing the curtains on a courageous campaign in Nagoya.

A War of Nerves and Momentum

The match was a masterclass in grit, featuring high-octane rallies and dramatic momentum shifts that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Alas Pilipinas showed immense composure right out of the gate. In an extended, cardiac opening frame, the Filipinas outlasted the Kazakhs, 29-27, showcasing the trademark resilience that has defined this iteration of the national team.

However, Kazakhstan refused to fold. The Central Asian powerhouse storm back in the second set, snatching a razor-thin 26-24 equalizer to turn the match into a tactical chess match.

The Turning Point

With the match tied, the crucial third set became a battle of nerves. Alas Pilipinas traded heavy blows and desperation digs, but Kazakhstan's towering net defense and execution in winning time allowed them to escape with a 25-23 squeaker.

Sensing blood in the water, Kazakhstan carried the momentum into the fourth frame. As fatigue began to settle in for the Filipinas, the Kazakhs unleashed a decisive closing run to wrap up the set, 25-19, and permanently shut the door on a Philippine fightback.

Heads Held High

While the scoreboard confirmed the end of their Asian Games journey, the statistical heartbreak does little to diminish the growth of the program. Throughout the tournament, this squad put the rest of Asia on notice, proving that Philippine volleyball can stand toe-to-toe with the continent's giants.

The podium finish will have to wait, but the foundation has been laid.

Saludo kami sa inyo Alas Pilipinas. The journey in Nagoya ends, but the future of Philippine volleyball remains incredibly bright.