PH women’s sepak eyes Asiad gold

Manila Times - Sep 28, 2026

THE Philippine women’s sepak takraw doubles team advanced to the gold medal match of the 2026 Asian Games after defeating Laos, 15-12, 15-10, in the semifinals. Composed of Jean Marie Sucalit, Abegail Sinogbuhan, and Nelly Jay Salon, the squad will face Vietnam in the finals on Sept. 29 as they aim to secure the country’s first-ever Asian Games gold medal in the sport. Since sepak takraw was introduced to the Asian Games in 1990, the Philippines has yet to win gold in the discipline. The nation earned its first Asian Games medals in the sport at the 2022 Hangzhou Asiad (held in 2023), taking bronze in both the men’s regu and men’s quadrant events. Meanwhile, the embattled Alas Pilipinas men’s national volleyball team put up a spirited fight against World No. 34 China, but fell in four sets, 25-20, 25-21, 25-20, 25-21, in the preliminary round of the 2026 Asian Games at the Park Arena Komaki. The loss drops World No. 115 Philippines to a 0-2 record in Pool D, eliminating them from quarterfinal contention as only the top two teams from each pool advance. While Alas held an edge in attacks — outscoring China 42 to 31 — unforced errors proved costly for the...

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