Team Philippines at 2026 Asian Games: September 20 schedule for Gilas Pilipinas Women, Alas Pilipinas Women, Soft Tennis, and other sports

The Philippines will seek to become the firs-evert Mobile Legends: Bang Bang gold medalist in the event"s debut at the 2026 Asian Games.

MANILA, Philippines — As the 2026 Asian Games officially open today in Nagoya, Japan, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio called on the nation to unite behind the Filipino athletes representing the country. In a message to the national delegation, Gregorio reminded the athletes of the immense hard work and sacrifices that brought them to the prestigious regional meet, urging them to stay focused on their mission. "Focus your mind and remember your purpose—para sa sarili, para sa pamilya, para sa bayan. Sa bawat laban, ipakita ninyo ang puso ng atletang Pilipino," Gregorio urged. With over 11,000 athletes competing across various disciplines, Team Philippines enters the Games ready to showcase grit, talent, and patriotism on the Asian stage. Gregorio assured the team that the entire nation is cheering them on as they strive for glory. TMT

Bien Zoleta has seen the lows of Philippine soft tennis, and for the first time at the Asian Games, she is experiencing the highs.

MANILA, Philippines —Agatha Chrystenzen Wong steps onto the carpet on Sunday carrying both the weight of expectation and the quiet confidence of a seasoned champion. As the nation’s top bet in wushu at the 20th Asian Games, the six-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist is determined to deliver a medal for Team Philippines in the women’s taijiquan and taijijian events at the Aichi Prefectural Martial Arts Hall. The path, however, is steep in these games where Team Philippines’ participation is supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission. Standing in her way is defending Asian Games champion Tong Xin of China, the sport’s gold standard in the discipline. Wong must also contend with Basma Lachkar of Brunei, the Hangzhou Asian silver medalist, and Japan’s Shiho Saito, who will be buoyed by the home crowd. “My goal is simple. I just want to stand on that podium again,” said Wong. “I’ve worked for years to refine every movement, every transition. This is the moment I’ve been preparing for.” The field is further stacked with elite contenders from Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Nepal, Malaysia, Thailand, and Pakistan, hands down Asia’s finest Taolu specialists. Yet Wong arrives in Nagoya with a resume that proves she belongs in this company. The 28-year-old medicine student from UERM won a bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang, a performance that followed her third-place finish at the 2016 World Cup in Fuzhou. She has since built a formidable international record after pocketing a silver medal at the 2023 World Championships in Fort Worth, Texas, and a bronze medal at the 2025 World Championships in Brasilia, Brazil. “There were days I felt overwhelmed, juggling classes and training,” said Wong. “But those difficult days also reminded me why I love this sport. They pushed me to stay focused and fight for this chance.” Wong’s performance will come after fellow Filipinos Sandrex Gainsan and Mark Anthony Polo compete in the men’s changquan final, both also aiming to secure medals for the country. Later in the afternoon, Jenifer Kilapio battles Indonesia’s Tharisa Dea Florentina in the women’s sanda 52kg quarterfinals. TMT

MANILA, Philippines — The Batangas City Tanduay Athletics quelled the Gensan Warriors' final assault and prevailed, 76-73, to clinch the No. 4 playoff spot in the South Division of the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Batangas City Coliseum. Batangas City finished the round-robin elimination phase with a 19-6 record, tying Cebu. The Greats, however, took third place due to their 84-83 shocker over the Athletics on April 22. Gensan slid to 18-6 and needs to beat also-ran Bulacan in its last assignment on Sept. 21 to forge a triple-tie. Even then, however, the Warriors would have to settle for the fifth spot due to their loss to the Athletics. Ahead 60-49 early in the fourth quarter, Batangas City felt pressure as Gensan closed in at 71-75, with  41.3 seconds left, through Marwin Dionisio and RJ Minerva. Batangas' worries grew after Ced Ablaza missed two free throws with 12.5 seconds left and Gensan's Joshua Fontanilla canned a one-hander to put the count at 73-75, with  6.6 seconds to go. In the ensuing play, Fontanilla was forced to foul Ino Comboy, who missed the first but converted his second charity for the final tally. Ablaza tallied 17 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists; Rhinwil Yambing carded 12 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals; Comboy notched 11 points and 2 rebounds; Abdul Sawat contributed 10 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists; and Jeckster Apinan compiled 4 points, 11 rebounds and 2 assists. Gensan drew 16 points and 7 rebounds from Minerva; 13 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists from Fontanilla, and 11 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists from Dionisio. Bulacan edges Marikina The Bulacan Kuyas bested the Marikina Shoemasters, 84-77, in the first game to raise their record to 6-18. The Kuyas drew 20 points and 5 rebounds from Andrei Acop, 18 points, 13 rebounds and 2 assists from Mico Dizon, 14 points and 2 rebounds from Benedict Benedictos, and 12 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals from Joshua Moralejo. Marikina, which ended its campaign with a 17-8 slate,  got 19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals from homegrown Jomel Landayan, 15 points and 2 rebounds from RR Casajeros, and 12 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists from JR Alabanza. The 2026 SportsPlus MPBL All-Star game between the North division standouts and the South division stalwarts will push through at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Ynares Center Montalban in Rizal province. TMT

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas aims to capture its first win and target a ninth-place finish as it enters the classification round of the 2026 Asian Games against Qatar on Sunday at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium. The nationals were eliminated from medal contention following a 0-2 run in Pool B, suffering consecutive setbacks against defending champion China and a towering Kazakhstan team. Although the Philippines put up a fierce fight against Kazakhstan before falling 29-27, 24-26, 23-25, 19-25, closing out tight sets remained a central struggle. Despite the setback, head coach Taka Minowa remains focused on maximizing the team's remaining campaign. "It's really sad. I’m really sorry for everyone to make this happen, but we will change our motivation and also the target—which is that we're going to finish 9th. We should win three games in a row. That's what we should do with these Asian Games," he told official broadcaster Cignal. Star winger Angel Canino provided a strong offensive spark for the squad, pouring in 24 points against Kazakhstan following a 14-point effort against China. "The experience that we learned today, and the opponent that we fought today was really tough. They’re really tall, and we hope that we learned a lot from it and address our lapses," Canino said. "That’s what we want—to learn. Hopefully, we can get the results that we want." The Philippines holds a strong opportunity to bounce back against Qatar, which dropped back-to-back lopsided matches in Pool D against Vietnam (3-25, 8-25, 9-25) and South Korea (25-6, 25-6, 25-10).

Head coach Federico Rampazzo said his men were in good physique and best mood for the 20th Asian Games which will officially begin on September 19 in Aichi-Nagoya.

MANILA, Philippines – Eryk Omandam and Natasha Doromal-Lim return to Samal Island on Sunday (Sept. 20) chasing back-to-back titles, but the defending champions will have to navigate a deeper and more competitive field as the Damosa Land 5150 brings the inaugural 5150 Triathlon Islands of the Philippines Series to its climactic finish. The Davao del Norte staging marks the fourth and final stop of the seven-month circuit, which has taken Olympic-distance triathlon to four of the country’s premier island destinations and showcased the Philippines as a compelling stage for world-class multisport competition. The Olympic-distance test – 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run – caps a series put together by the Philippine Sports Commission, with elite-level competition at its core but with an equally important mission: bringing high-caliber sporting events to spectacular natural destinations across the country. From the waters and coastlines of Guimaras to the challenging terrain of Camiguin and the scenic roads of Bohol, the series has combined endurance racing with the sights, communities and character of each host destination. The circuit, organized by Sunrise Events, Inc., also serves as a central pillar of the National Sports Tourism-Inter Agency Council’s program to position the Philippines as a premier destination for world-class sporting events. Now, the spotlight shifts to Samal, where hundreds of athletes are set for another race to remember – and another opportunity to experience the island’s smooth highways, white-sand beaches, clear waters and vibrant communities. Samal is hosting the 5150 for the second straight year after a successful debut last year, when Omandam and Doromal-Lim emerged as the overall champions. This time, however, both will face a souped-up field featuring seasoned endurance campaigners and rising stars from Davao City, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, Tagum, Kidapawan, Digos, Mati City, Manila, Pagadian, Cebu and Metro Manila, among other areas. For Omandam and Doromal-Lim, the challenge is straightforward but demanding – repeat as champions while helping give the inaugural island series a memorable finale. For the hundreds of other participants, Samal offers a chance to measure their preparation against a course that combines open-water swimming, fast stretches of highway and a run through an island community known for its natural beauty. Adding an entry point for newcomers is the Sunrise Sprint, featuring a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run. The shorter format is designed for first-timers and recreational athletes looking to experience multisport racing, while relay competitions in the men’s, women’s and mixed divisions of both the Damosa Land 5150 and Sunrise Sprint are expected to bring some of the country’s leading triathlon clubs into the action. The racing program begins Sunday with the Sunrise Sprint rolling start at 5:40 a.m. at Bridgesport by Damosa Land, followed by the 5150 age-group and relay races at 6:20 a.m. The swim cutoff is one hour, with bike and run cutoffs at three and five hours, respectively. Damosa Land, Inc. president Cary Lagdameo said the event is part of a broader effort to draw attention to Samal’s potential as a tourism and sports destination, with sustained collaboration needed to build on the momentum generated by events such as the 5150. “Samal already has many of the natural strengths of a great destination – pristine waters, rich marine life, remarkable landscapes and a community that is eager to welcome visitors,” said Lagdameo. “Realizing that potential will require sustained effort from many sectors. An event like this may be only one drop in the ocean, but drops create ripples, and when people move together with purpose, those ripples can become waves.” Mayor Lemuel Reyes, meanwhile, described the race as an opportunity to put Samal’s natural assets and local hospitality in full view while celebrating the determination of the athletes taking on the course. “More than a test of endurance, this race celebrates courage, discipline, community and the extraordinary beauty of our island,” said Reyes. “As athletes swim through our waters, cycle across our landscapes and run alongside our communities, they experience Samal not simply as a race venue, but as a destination where adventure, nature and genuine Samalenyo hospitality come together.” Race director Julian Valencia said the combination of demanding competition and a spectacular setting should make the second Samal staging a fitting conclusion to the inaugural series. “From the clear waters of Samal to its rolling coastal roads and the energy of its communities, this course is designed to test preparation, reward discipline and give every athlete a race to remember,” Valencia said. “Whether you are chasing a podium finish, pursuing a personal best, taking on your first Olympic-distance triathlon or joining the Sprint, you are part of a meaningful milestone for Samal and multisport in the region.” TMT

MANILA, Philippines — Team Philippines is ready for the opening ceremony of the 2026 Asian Games at the Paloma Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya, Japan. Expect a grand and colorful show showcasing Japan's rich culture. The program is set to begin at 6 p.m. (5 p.m. Manila time), featuring over 11,000 athletes and officials from more than 40 countries in the region. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will attend the event, along with Crown Prince Akishino. Themed "Harmonic Heart Beat," this edition of the Asian Games will highlight a presentation of Japan's deep cultural heritage. TMT

The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games open Saturday, with more than 400 Filipino athletes set to compete in the continental tournament.

Alexandra Eala will begin her Asian swing next week when she kicks off her campaign at the Singapore Tennis Open.

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala arrived in Singapore for her upcoming World Tennis Association (WTA) 500 match and granted interviews to the media. In a “this or that” game with CNA Lifestyle, the 21-year-old Filipina star was made to choose between boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and tennis great Rafael Nadal. “Guys, that’s not fair. You guys did me dirty,” she laughed and decided not to answer. Eala also shared that she preferred the backhand in her swings, but this year her forehand has also been improving. Her on-court mantra was“Never give up, and no doubt,” which was also evident in her matches where she dug deep and trailed to snatch the victory. The WTA 500 Washington Open queen said that one of the fan moments that struck her the most was when she saw someone holding a huge baby head picture of her. Eala will try to top the first Asian leg of the WTA, starting from September 21 to 27, before contesting for a gold medal in the 2026 Asian Games that will be her ticket to the 2028 Olympics.