Could target gold haul bring Asian Games back to Manila?

PSC chairman Pato Gregorio and POC president Bambol Tolentino during the official send-off for the Asian Games 2026. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

A targeted eight-gold haul by Team Philippines in this year’s Asian Games could put the country on the road to something it last accomplished 70 years ago: bringing the continental showcase to local shores.

“We’re talking about … the Asian Games. We want to bid for the Asian Games,” Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said, addressing Asiad-bound athletes during the official sendoff on Thursday.

READ: Asian Games 2026: Team Philippines ‘dreams big,’ targets 8 golds

“The Philippines hosted the first Asian Games in Manila in 1954, and we haven’t hosted it again since. The only available slot is 2039. By 2039, all of you will probably be retired or no longer competing. It will be the young athletes that the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) and POC are developing today who will be playing.”

“We shouldn’t waste this opportunity because it will become much harder later on. This is about making history. This is our time. This is your time,” he added.

The sendoff was hosted by the POC and the PSC, and officials were bullish on the country’s medal chances in Nagoya, Japan, with Tolentino pegging the target at eight golds—double the haul from the 2018 and 2022 editions.

“We’re all dreaming anyway, so let’s dream big and make it eight. Why eight? Break it down: four from Palembang and four from Hangzhou. Of those eight, let’s have a minimum of four from combat sports and four from non-combat sports,” Tolentino said during the event at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Members of Team Philippines with Philippine Sports executives during the official send-off for the Asian Games 2026. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Tolentino believes jiu-jitsu, boxing, taekwondo, wushu and mixed martial arts have strong chances to win gold in combat sports.

Gymnastics, led by two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo and his brother Eldrew, tennis star Alex Eala, athletics, esports and skateboarding are also favorites to win their respective competitions.

“I’m not putting pressure on you. We’re not putting pressure on you. Just give everything you have,” said Tolentino.

PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio also announced an added P6,000 allowance for each athlete and coach competing in the Asian Games and Asian Para Games.

He is also pushing for a cash bonus for the whole delegation if Team Philippines surpasses the previous four gold medals in the Asian Games and 10 golds in the Asian Para Games.

“If you surpass the four gold medals we won in Nagoya, and Para surpasses 10 gold medals, I’ll personally appeal to the PSC commissioners for an additional reward for the entire delegation,” Gregorio said.

“Let’s face it—we’ve been studying and preparing for this for a long time. And when it comes to strategizing, I really admire President Bambol and the way he plans things out. I know we can do it. Everyone we’re sending to the Asian Games has a chance to win gold,” he added.

Tolentino also named Olympic bronze medalist boxer Aira Villegas and young weightlifter Ian Delos Santos as flag bearers.