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The Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization (PHINADO) conducted an Anti-Doping Education Seminar for Filipino athletes set to compete in the upcoming 33rd Southeast Asian Games and the 13th Asian Youth Para Games.

The seminar aimed to equip national athletes with essential knowledge on clean sport practices, anti-doping rules, testing procedures, and the importance of upholding integrity in competition.

Present during the event were key sports leaders, including Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC) President Michael Barredo, PSC Commissioner Edward Hayco, and Olympian Akiko Thompson, all emphasizing the importance of education in maintaining a fair and drug-free sporting environment.

Philippine Sports Commission chair Patrick Gregorio stressed in his opening remarks the importance of this seminar as their guidance and preparation for the upcoming Olympic and Asian games before the year ends. 

Gregorio emphasized its strong commitment to fair play and integrity during an anti-doping education session held for national athletes on Friday.

“This session is more than just a requirement—it is part of our commitment to fair play, integrity, and excellence,” PSC chair Patrick Gregorio underscores the agency’s core values as Filipino athletes prepare to compete on the regional and international stage.

As the country gears up for major sporting events, PSC officials highlighted the importance of upholding clean sport principles, noting that compliance protects both the careers of athletes and the honor of the nation.

“This is not just about an athlete. It is about our nation’s integrity and our success,” Gregorio emphasized, calling the anti-doping seminar a crucial step in ensuring that Filipino athletes remain aligned with global standards set by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and PHINADO.

Officials reminded athletes that victories achieved through prohibited means hold no value.

“Don’t gamble. Don’t take a chance. Winning should be clean, fair, and come from the heart of every Filipino athlete,” Gregorio reiterated.

The seminar forms part of the PSC’s continuous effort to strengthen awareness and reinforce a culture of honesty and accountability in Philippine sports.

PHINADO’s initiative reinforces the country’s commitment to clean and honest sports, ensuring that every Filipino athlete represents the nation with pride, discipline, and integrity as they take on the international stage.

Senator Bong Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, Youth, Health, and Development, reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Filipino athletes by highlighting key legislative initiatives.

Among his notable efforts is the establishment of the National Academy of Sports (NAS) under Republic Act No. 11470, which he authored and co-sponsored. The NAS offers a dual-track system that integrates academic education with elite sports training for young athletes.

Senator Go is also pushing for the passage of the National Academy of Sports Regional Expansion Act (Senate Bill No. 171), which aims to establish regional NAS campuses—particularly in the Visayas and Mindanao—to provide full scholarships and nurture athletic talent across the country.

Other key initiatives include:

• Senate Bill No. 407, amending the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act (RA 10699), to improve support for para-athletes;
• Senate Bill No. 413, or the Philippine National Games Bill, to institutionalize grassroots sports competitions nationwide;
• Senate Bill No. 678, or the National Tertiary Games Act, to promote collegiate-level sports development.

Since assuming his role in 2019, Senator Go has helped oversee historic achievements in Philippine sports, including the country's first Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games and a double-gold performance at Paris 2024.

“I encourage everyone, young and old, to get into sports and stay away from drugs to keep us healthy and fit,” Senator Go said.

The Philippines made a strong statement in their opening match at the U23 ASEAN Championship Mandiri Cup, defeating Malaysia 2-0 on Wednesday, July 16, at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Otu Banatao starred for the U23 squad, netting both goals and securing the team's first win over Malaysia since the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, as well as their first tournament victory since a 2-1 triumph over Brunei in 2022.

Banatao opened the scoring in the ninth minute, finishing off a well-placed pass from Javier Mariona, before doubling the lead in the 40th minute to complete his brace.

Solid defensive work from goalkeeper Nic Guimaraes and defenders Joshua Merino, Noah Leddel, Ziggy Taningco, and Kamil Amirul helped the Philippines preserve the clean sheet.

Next, the Philippines will take on defending champions Vietnam on Friday, July 18.

Head coach Garrath McPherson credited his staff for the team's preparation, saying: 

“I would like to thank our assistant coach Popoy Clarino and our goalkeeper coach Joan Lleida, who held a training camp a week prior. Every little thing helps. With a short journey, you need to prioritize what you want to know and understand. We focused on key areas, kept things simple, and let the players take it from there.”

For the first time in history, the Gilas Pilipinas Women are poised to chase a spot in the FIBA Women’s World Cup.

The Filipinas clinched a berth in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying tournament after narrowly defeating Lebanon, 73-70, during the group stage of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup on Wednesday, July 16, at the Shenzhen Sports Center in Shenzhen, China.

This crucial win propelled the Philippines into the quarterfinals of the Women’s Asia Cup and guaranteed them an automatic place in the World Cup qualifiers, courtesy of a secured top-six finish in the tournament.

“This win represents everything that we’ve been working hard for in the last 10 years or so. We’re glad to be competing and not just staying in Division A, but we still have to improve and we hope we level up again soon,” said Gilas Women’s head coach Pat Aquino.

Five Gilas players scored in double figures in the hard-fought victory, led by Naomi Panganiban’s 15 points, highlighted by two clutch free throws with just 8.3 seconds left.

Sumayah Sugapong iced two crucial free throws at the 2:18 mark in the fourth quarter to give the Philippines a 71-66 lead, but Lebanon clawed back, trimming the deficit to just 71-69 with 1:15 to play. After Sugapong missed a potential game-sealing three, Lebanon’s Jillian Archer split her free throws, making it 71-70 with under a minute remaining.

Panganiban then calmly knocked down her pressure-packed free throws to stretch the lead to 73-70, and Lebanon failed to attempt a game-tying three as time expired.

Sugapong and Jack Animam each added 14 points for Gilas, with Animam also hauling down a game-high 16 rebounds. Vanessa de Jesus chipped in 13 points, while Kacey dela Rosa contributed 10, helping the team withstand blowing a 17-point first-quarter lead.

The Philippines overcame a stellar performance from Archer, who tallied a game-high 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting and 10 rebounds for Lebanon.

Gilas Women finished third in Group B with a 1-2 record. They will take a one-day break on Thursday, July 17, before facing the No. 2 seed from Group A in the quarterfinals on Friday, July 18, at 4:30 pm.

The Scores:

PHILIPPINES 73 – Panganiban 15, Sugapong 14, Animam 14, De Jesus 13, Dela Rosa 10, Pastrana 7, Castillo 0, Fajardo 0, Surada 0, Ozar 0, Pagdulagan 0.

LEBANON 70 – Archer 23, Akl 13, Elias 10, Mansour 7, Naassan 6, Ghaleb 6, Fayad 3, Labban 2, Raffoul 0.

Quarters: 29-12, 41-37, 55-57, 73-70.

The Philippines is poised to make a striking impact at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, running from December 9 to 20, by assembling its largest delegation in history. With unwavering government support, a remarkable 1,600-strong contingent—predominantly athletes from a variety of team sports—will proudly represent the nation at this highly esteemed regional event.

“This is our biggest SEA Games delegation yet,” declared Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham Tolentino, signaling a bold new chapter in the country’s sporting legacy. 

This monumental team will compete in an astonishing 574 events across 50 sports, nearly doubling the 905 athletes who showcased their talents at the 2023 Phnom Penh Games. Prior to this, the largest Philippine contingent had consisted of 1,115 members during the home games in 2019.

A year to remember in Philippine sports annals will be celebrated by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) in grand fashion as it holds its annual Awards Night on January 27, 2025 at the historic Manila Hotel.

 The country’s oldest media organization headed by its president Nelson Beltran, sports editor of The Philippine Star, is set to honor the best and brightest personalities and entities who made the country proud in the year that’s about to end.

 In a memorable 2024 campaign, the Philippines elevated its standards by gaining a first ever double gold medal in the Olympics courtesy of dynamic gymnast Carlos Yulo during the 33rd edition of the Games in Paris, France.

 The feat came four years after lady weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz gave the country a breakthrough Olympic gold in Tokyo, and transpired during the same period when the Filipinos commemorate their 100 years of participation in the quadrennial showcase.

 The Paris stint also saw Philippine boxing rising to the occasion again by winning a pair of bronze medals through the robust fists of Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas. 

Yulo and the rest of the Filipino Olympians including the country’s representatives to the Paralympic Games, will be at the forefront of the traditional festivities where the awarding of the Athlete of the Year serves as its highlight.

 Another special part of the program is the induction of another Filipino great to the PSA Hall of Fame. The late track and field legend Lydia De Vega was the last celebrated athlete to be recognized with the honor.

 In celebration of the country’s centennial participation in the Summer Games, past Filipino Olympians will likewise have their own moments during the awards ceremony.

 The customary awards like the Executive of the Year, National Sports Association (NSA) of the Year, President’s Award, and top performers such as Mr. Basketball, Ms. Volleyball, among others, are also going to be handed out.

 To be recognized too, are major awardees in different sports, the usual citations to different sports figures and individuals, and the regular Tony Siddayao Awards and MILO Awards for junior athletes.

 Not to be forgotten with a prayer and minute of silence are the personalities who passed away in the year 2024.