Camille Naredo

PSC Chairman Pato Gregorio answers questions from the media. Mark Cristino/POC Media Pool Photo

Article (news)

33rd SEA GAMES

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178263443830820251208-33rd-sea-games-ph-handball-team-POC-5.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="PSC Chairman Pato Gregorio answers questions from the media. Mark Cristino/POC Media Pool Photo"/>PSC Chairman Pato Gregorio answers questions from the media. Mark Cristino/POC Media Pool Photo</div>MANILA -- Hosting international sporting events will boost not just local tourism but also the country&#x27;s grassroots development programs, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio asserted.Gregorio expressed his confidence in the benefits that young Filipino athletes will get from the country&#x27;s hosting efforts during a press conference for the 11th Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships last week.&quot;We have at least 40 local athletes here. If we sent them all to Europe and South America for competitions abroad, the PSC won&#x27;t be able to justify it,&quot; said Gregorio, who was celebrating the silver medal won by rookie Sophia Nicole Novino.&quot;This (result) justifies what we are trying to do. Yung kalaban ni Sophia world-ranked pala,&quot; he pointed out. &quot;These are eye-openers for us. This is the beauty of what we are trying to do. Sinsasala nating kaagad ng ating mga athletes by giving them the opportunities to go up against the world best as in sambo.&quot;Novino had gone toe-to-toe with Kazakhstan&#x27;s Karakat Rakhybay in the final of the women&#x27;s youth -47kg division before absorbing a 3-1 loss.&quot;We are thankful to the Pilipinas Sambo Federation and its president Paolo Tancotian for the hosting of the 11th Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships for exposing our young athletes to world-class level of play,&quot;  Gregorio added.The 17-year-old Novino, an incoming Grade 12 student at the University of the East, is looking forward to more opportunities in sambo after her first taste of international action. The teenager is part of UE&#x27;s judo team&quot;Gusto ko po mag-devote more time sa sport kasi sa opportunities na maaring ibigay nito para sa akin,&quot; she said.Meanwhile, Tancotian said they have received praise from the International Sambo Federation and Sambo Union of Asia and Oceania officials for how they have run the competition.&quot;More than 15 foreign squads personally thanked and congratulated yours truly for the first-class treatment they had received from the moment they arrived at the airport, to the hotel and, of course, our excellent venue, the Ninoy Aquino Stadium,&quot; he also said.&quot;We are being talked about in the sambo world. All eyes are on the Philippines,&quot; Tancontian added. &quot;This is more than what I could dream for and the federation thanks the PSC for making it happen.&quot;

Hosting international sporting events will boost not just local tourism but also the country's grassroots development programs, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio asserted.

Hosting international sporting events will boost not just local tourism but also the country's grassroots development programs, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio asserted.

Hosting int'l meets will benefit local grassroots programs: Gregorio

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Sports

Hosting int'l meets will benefit local grassroots programs: Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

Published June 28, 2026 04:15 PM PHT

Read More:

Philippine Sports Commission

PSC

Patrick Gregorio

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

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.