MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is fielding its biggest delegation yet to the Asian Beach Games, with 101 athletes set to compete—a lineup Abraham Tolentino takes pride in.
Team Philippines has joined every edition of the Asian Beach Games since its launch in 2008 and heads into the 2026 meet with a 47-medal haul (5 golds, 10 silvers, 32 bronzes).
The last staging was in 2016 in Da Nang, where Filipinos collected two golds, two silvers, and 13 bronzes.
“So far, this lineup is stronger compared to 10 years ago,” Tolentino said as the Games run from April 22 to 30. “We hope to surpass our previous record.”
He added that excitement is also building for the turnover ceremony, as the Philippines is set to host the next edition in Cebu City in March 2028.
The Asian Beach Games went on hiatus after the Olympic Council of Asia shifted the event to a four-year cycle. The 6th edition, originally scheduled in 2020 in Sanya, was delayed due to scheduling conflicts, including preparations for the 2022 Winter Olympics and the postponed 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Bannering the Philippine delegation are flag bearers Annie Ramirez, a two-time world champion aiming to extend her golden run, and Yman Xavier Baluyo of the powerhouse jiu-jitsu team.
Ramirez, alongside Maybelline Masuda, made history in 2014 by delivering the country’s first gold medal in the competition.
The week-long event will wrap up with the formal announcement of the 2028 Asian Beach Games host, with Cebu City set to take the spotlight.
