Asian Games: QF-bound Gilas Women fall to mighty Japan in final group stage match

GMA Network - Sep 22, 2026

Gilas Pilipinas Women closed out the group stage with an 89-67 blowout loss to host Japan on Tuesday, but are still heading into quarterfinals of the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

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No backing down: POC chief Bambol Tolentino stands firm on 8-gold target in Asian Games
Sep 22, 2026

No backing down: POC chief Bambol Tolentino stands firm on 8-gold target in Asian Games

MANILA, Philippines — Despite early setbacks on Day 3 of the 2026 Asian Games, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino remains steadfast in his prediction that Team Philippines will bring home at least eight gold medals. In an exclusive interview, the POC chief made it clear that he is not backing down from his high expectations for the national squad. "There's no backing down from this. Like I said, there's nothing wrong with dreaming. It doesn't cost anything—it's free," Tolentino stated, emphasizing that the tournament has only just begun. When asked where the expected gold medals will come from, Tolentino rattled off a deep roster of remaining contenders, including mixed martial arts, Alex Eala, Carlos Yulo, EJ Obiena, boxing, athletics (Busong), 3x3 basketball, Mobile Legends, and jiu-jitsu. "That’s more than ten potential events. So we haven’t lost hope at all. We will definitely win golds," he declared. Tolentino highlighted that surpassing the country's previous four-gold haul remains highly achievable. He noted that today's Filipino athletes receive significantly better financial support, training allowances, and foreign coaching to help them level the playing field against heavily funded naturalized competitors from rival nations. His final word of encouragement to the athletes: "Just keep fighting. There are no replays... use strategy as well. Once you're ahead, don't get overly eager." "The gold rush is still on! Keep the faith, Pilipinas!" TMT

Cone expects ‘full review’ after Gilas’ disappointing Asian Games campaign
Sep 22, 2026

Cone expects ‘full review’ after Gilas’ disappointing Asian Games campaign

MANILA, Philippines — Over a week after the PBA-backed Philippine team failed in its bid to retain the country’s basketball title in the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, Gilas coach Tim Cone expects a “full review” of the team’s performance. The Manila Times asked the American mentor when the post-Asian Games evaluation be, but he gave no time nor date. “Not yet, but there will be a full review,” Cone said in a short response. Cone’s Gilas-Asiad squad didn’t have regular national players led by Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Kevin Quiambao, along with young big man Kai Sotto in Japan. Ramos and Co. are not given the green light to play by their respective clubs from Japan and South Korea since the Asian Games is not sanctioned by FIBA. Their unavailability left Cone with no choice but to form a separate Gilas team dedicated to play in the Asian Games in Japan. Sans naturalized player Justin Brownlee, who continues to recover from multiple injuries to his knee, hamstring and leg, Gilas got whitewashed twice by the Korean national team during their two-game invitational in Suwon, a week before the start of the Asian Games. The Philippines then opened the Asian Games with an 85-89 shocking loss to Bahrain, which was reinforced by four naturalized players. Gilas managed to redeem itself by smashing, 109-78, but disaster struck when the national squad suffered a 105-61 shellacking at the hands of China that dealt the death blow to the country’s title-retention hopes. South Korea went on to beat host Japan for the gold last Sunday, 67-57, while Iran subdued China, 79-70 to grab the bronze in the Asiad.