AFTER MANY notable performances in the past year, the Philippines’ name has now become one to anticipate across various international tournaments this 2022. Among these competitions are the Federation Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Vietnam Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, and Hangzhou Asian Games.
FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers
The Philippines will be hosting and competing in the second window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers from February 21 to March 1. The games will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum featuring fellow FIBA Asia countries Korea, India, and New Zealand.
As the Philippines is one of three Asian host nations and thus already qualified for the 2023 World Cup, preparations for the main stage will be done through qualifiers. After what many regarded as a disastrous, underprepared, and rushed training camp for the 2019 World Cup, Gilas Pilipinas hopes to do better as the Philippines will host international basketball’s biggest tournament.
Legendary coach Chot Reyes is once again tasked with leading a team to get through these qualifiers after current men’s basketball coach Tab Baldwin decided to step down to focus on the upcoming University Athletic Association of the Philippines season. Blue Eagle Angelo Kouame and Toyama superstar Dwight Ramos are called up to the men’s team to help reinforce the now pro-laden squad that will be competing in this window.
Vietnam SEA Games
Soon after the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers are the SEA Games, which will happen in Hanoi, Vietnam from May 12 to May 23. The SEA Games will showcase 11 Southeast Asian countries competing in up to 40 sports—mainly those played at the Olympic games. Returning to the stage as the tournament’s defending champion, the Philippines will send 626 athletes to participate in 39 of the 40 sports.
Among the nation’s roster of athletes are Olympians looking to notch the top spots in their respective sports, such as returning SEA Games gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo to name a few. Blue Eagles Alyssa Go and Joachim De Jesus of the Ateneo Rowing Team will also be donning the national team colors in this upcoming edition of the SEA Games.
Following a dominant performance as the host nation in 2019, the Philippines aims to replicate its first-place finish that re-established the nation as a dominant figure in Southeast Asian sports. The 2019 SEA Games saw the nation claim 387 medals in total—149 golds, 117 silvers, and 121 bronzes.
Hangzhou Asian Games
After the SEA Games, sports fans nationwide can expect the Asian Games, which will be held at Hangzhou, China from September 10 to September 25. This tournament will feature 45 Asian countries competing against each other in up to 61 sports, with the Philippines participating in 46 events including athletics, boxing, and weightlifting.
Similar to the SEA Games, the country’s sizable roster of athletes in this year’s Asian Games will feature several Olympians aiming to bolster the country past its 2018 haul of four gold medals. Yulo and Olympic gold medalist Diaz will represent the country again after their SEA Games participation, joined by fifth best pole-vaulter and Asian record holder EJ Obiena.
However, arguably the most anticipated performance will come from Olympic boxing silver medalist Nesthy Petecio, who aims to redeem her controversial loss from the previous Asian Games. On the other hand, the Philippine Paralympic Team hopes to best its historic 10-gold medal haul from Ernie Gawilan and Sander Severino in the 2018 Asian Para Games.
The Philippines ranked 19th out of 45 countries in the 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia, concluding its participation with four golds, two silvers, and 15 bronze medals. Diaz and Margielyn Didal notched one gold medal each in weightlifting and skateboarding, respectively, while Yuka Saso bagged one individually and the other in a trio with Bianca Pagdanganan and Lois Kaye Go in the golf events.
With extensive competition experience and an impressive roster of athletes and coaches under its belt, the Philippines looks to be a dominating force in the international sporting scene in the upcoming months.
