Jaehwa Bernardo

USA and Jordan battle under Group C during the group stage of the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Pasay City on August 30, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

FIBA World Cup Group Stages

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177634200573520230830-fiba-jordan-usa-MD-3.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham &#x27;Bambol&#x27; Tolentino. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File</div>MANILA – With 101 athletes ready to compete for the flag, Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham &quot;Bambol&quot; Tolentino said Thursday he hoped the country could surpass its previous medal haul in the Asian Beach Games.The Philippine delegation is set to leave for the continental meet set from April 22 to 30 in Sanya, China.In the previous Asian Beach Games held in 2016, the Philippines won a total of 21 medals – two gold, four silver and 15 bronze.&quot;Readying ready na. Actually paalis na yung 101 athletes. Kung ano man record natin, I hope we can surpass previous records,&quot; Tolentino said at the Century Park Hotel.The POC chief said there are a lot of sports where the country can strike gold, including jiu-jitsu, beach volleyball, 3x3 basketball and triathlon.&quot;Maraming pwedeng pagkunan ng gold... So far, after previous, this [delegation] will be the stronger siguro no. Last one was tean years ago in Vietnam,&quot; Tolentino added.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/4/14/all-systems-go-for-ph-campaign-in-asian-beach-games-says-tolentino-2013">READ: All systems go for PH campaign in Asian Beach Games, says Tolentino </a></div>JJIF World Champion and two-time Beach Games jiu-jitsu gold medalist Annie Ramirez and AIMAG gold medalist Kaila Napolis will headline the Philippine delegation.SEA Games gold medalist Sunny Villapando will lead the beach volleyball team with Sofiah Pagara, Khyle Progella and Grydelle Matibag.Tolentino highlighted the closing ceremony, where the flag will be receiving the flag from the hosts.&quot;We&#x27;re more excited sa turnover ceremony sa closing. Because we&#x27;ll be hosting the next Asian Beach Games in Cebu in 2028, March 2028. So may presentation cultural as tradition, passing of the flag and cultural presentation,&quot; he said.The Philippines has won five gold, 10 silver, and 35 bronze medals in all its appearances at the Asian Beach Games.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776341738853POC.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>The Philippine Olympic Committee and Cleantech sign a memorandum of agreement to become the official fuel partner of Filipino athletes. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News</div><div>FUEL FOR EXCELLENCE</div>The POC signed a memorandum of agreement on Thursday with central Luzon-based company Cleantech to be its official fuel partner.Tolentino expressed gratitude to the firm for backing Filipino athletes, especially with several major sporting competitions ahead like the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.&quot;Very timely kasi marami tayong schedule of events. Lahat po ito kung ano mang tulong, maliit man o malaki, ay siguradong aabot sa ating atleta. Sana umabot ng 2028 kasi taon ng Olympics yun eh,&quot; he said.&quot;Imagine kahit merong crisis sa Middle East, affected ang oil industry, still they managed to support our athletes. So maraming salamat,&quot; Tolentino added.The POC chief likewise highlighted the Southeast Asian Plus Youth Games (SEA Plus Youth Games) which the country will be hosting in December 2027.Cleantech Chairman of the Board Luisito Mercado said they want to support Filipino athletes reach their dreams, after seeing his classmates achieve in sports.&quot;Nais namin maging instrumento ng pag-asa para sa kabataan. Pangarap namin mabigyan sila ng pagkakataon. Sana ang kahirapan ay hindi maging hadlang sa mga pangarap lalo na sa larangan ng sports,&quot; he said.&quot;Bilang official fuel partner ng Filipino athletes, buong puso namin sinusuportahan ang kanilang laban. Hindi lamang sa tagumpay, kundi para sa karangalan ng bayan,&quot; Mercado added.Cleantech Vice President of Finance Yeana Mercado said this is their way of giving back to Filipino athletes for bringing glory to the country.&quot;Naniniwala kami sa potential ng mga atletang Pilipino. At gusto naming maging part ng journey nila papunta sa LA 2028 Olympics, gusto namin maging parte sa kanilang gagawin,&quot; she said.&quot;It&#x27;s part of our agreement with the POC that there will be incentives [for the medalists],&quot; Mercado added.Under the deal, the fuel company with stations in Nueva Ecija and Pampanga will support elite Filipino athletes until 2028.

With 101 athletes ready to compete for the flag, Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham 'Bambol' Tolentino said Thursday he hoped the country could surpass its previous medal haul in the Asian Beach Games.

With 101 athletes ready to compete for the flag, Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham 'Bambol' Tolentino said Thursday he hoped the country could surpass its previous medal haul in the Asian Beach Games.

POC chief hopes PH can surpass medal haul in Da Nang Asian Beach Games

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Sports

POC chief hopes PH can surpass medal haul in Da Nang Asian Beach Games

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 16, 2026 08:44 PM PHT

|

Updated April 17, 2026 11:33 AM PHT

Read More:

Asian Beach Games

Philippine Olympic Committee

Cleantech

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.