FROM ESPAÑA to Japan, current and former UST athletes gear up to represent the Philippines for the 20th Asian Games, which will be held from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 in Nagoya, Japan.
The Philippines will send a 447-athlete delegation across 34 sports as the country looks to make its mark in the continental sporting competition.
Olympian EJ Obiena headlines the Thomasian delegates as he returns to defend his men’s pole vault crown after winning gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Games with a 5.90-meter clearance.
Former King Tiger Nic Cabañero will reunite with current Tiger Koji Buenaflor in the men’s 3×3 basketball, where they will team up with former Tiger Cub and current DLSU Green Archer Doy Dungo and Luis Pablo.
Meanwhile, UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball Finals MVP Kent Pastrana is set to make her Asian Games debut with the Gilas Pilipinas women’s 5×5 squad.
In volleyball, former UST Queen Tigress Eya Laure bannered the Alas Pilipinas women’s team, but the squad has been relegated to the qualification stage after suffering two losses to China and Kazakhstan.
Three-time UAAP men’s volleyball MVP Josh Ybañez will suit up as the Philippines’ lone libero in the men’s team, grouped with China, South Korea and Chinese Taipei.
On the sands, the SiPons tandem, featuring former Growling Tigress Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons, will make its Asian Games debut in the women’s beach volleyball, alongside Tiger Sands Khy Progella and Sofiah Pagara.
In jiu-jitsu, UST alumna Annie Ramirez is set to return to the Asian Games stage as she eyes another medal for the Philippines.
In judo, Tiger Judoka Chino Sy Tancontian will make his Asian Games debut in the men’s -100-kilogram division, while fellow UST standout Khrizzie Pabulayan will compete in the women’s -78-kilogram category.
Meanwhile, Margaret Fajardo will vie in the women’s 78-kilogram kurash event after being named an official Philippine representative in the discipline.
The country’s baseball team will feature UST sluggers JR Vargas and Mark Beronilla, while softball mainstays Ma. Charlotte Sales and Royevel Palma will also represent Team Philippines in the field.
UST’s presence in the Asian Games extends to fencing, with Janna Catantan, Alexa Larrazabal, Eunice Villanueva and Noelito Jose Jr. set to banner the Philippine delegation in the sport.
The Asian Games will officially open on Sept. 19 at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, although several sports, including volleyball, have already begun competition. F
