MANILA — Sibol Pilipinas’ Honor of Kings squad delivered another bronze medal for the Philippines on Monday, adding to a string of podium finishes by Filipino athletes at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
The national esports team settled for bronze after bowing to powerhouse China, 2-0, in the semifinals at Aichi Sky Expo Hall D.
It was the Philippines’ second esports medal in the Games after Sibol’s Pokémon UNITE squad also captured bronze following a 2-0 semifinal loss to Indonesia on Sunday.
The Honor of Kings squad is composed of Golden Dajao, Dragon Dajao, Justine Tan, Charles Esguerra and Chammy Nazarrea, with Gerald Gelacio as head coach. The lineup is built around the core of the former Blacklist International squad that previously represented the country in international Honor of Kings competitions.
Gelacio said he was proud of his players despite missing a shot at the gold medal.
“Sobrang proud pa rin ako sa mga players ko kasi nakakuha pa rin kami ng medal and history ‘yun kasi mahirap din yung nakalaban namin sa semis which is yung top contender na China,” said Gelacio.
“Okay naman kami. Sobrang happy pa rin kami sa na-achieve namin dito sa Asian Games,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sibol’s Identity V squad absorbed identical 0-2 defeats to Thailand and Chinese Taipei in Pool A, leaving the Filipinos on the brink of elimination.
The Philippines can still secure the third seed and final quarterfinal berth in the group when it faces Indonesia on Tuesday at 9 a.m. at the same venue.
In athletics, Olympian John Cabang Tolentino ended the Philippines’ 36-year Asian Games hurdles medal drought after capturing bronze in the men’s 110-meter hurdles final Sunday at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium.
Tolentino clocked a season-best 13.48 seconds, finishing behind China’s Chen Yuanjiang, who won gold in 13.15 seconds, and Japan’s Rachid Muratake, who took silver in 13.29 seconds.
Tolentino became the first Filipino to win an Asian Games hurdles medal since Elma Muros in 1990.
The Philippine men’s regu sepak takraw team of Jason Huerte, Jom Lerry Rafael, Reynaldo Asilum Jr., Glindel Phori and Ronsited Gabayeron also secured bronze after falling to Malaysia, 2-1, in the semifinals.
The women’s doubles sepak takraw squad of Jean Marie Sucalit, Abegail Sinogbuhan and Nelly Jay Salon, meanwhile, assured the Philippines of at least a silver medal after beating Laos, 2-0, in the semifinals.
The Filipinas will battle Vietnam for the gold medal this morning.
In beach volleyball, the Philippines advanced two pairs to the women’s quarterfinals after both won their Round of 16 matches Monday.
Cherry Ann Rondina and Bernadeth Pons swept Japan’s Sakura Ito and Mayu Sawame, 21-17, 21-15, while Sofiah Pagara and Khylem Progella defeated Hong Kong, China’s Wong Man Chang and Tsang Ngok Ling, 26-24, 21-18.
Leonard Grospe finished ninth overall in the men’s high jump, while Margaret Fajardo failed to advance to the women’s -78 kg kurash quarterfinals after losing to a South Korean opponent.
BMX rider Patrick Bren Coo placed seventh in the men’s BMX racing final, while Daniel Caluag failed to reach the medal round.
Alas Pilipinas Men also bowed out of contention for a men’s indoor volleyball quarterfinal berth after absorbing a 25-21, 25-20, 25-22 defeat to China./PN
