Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino maintained that the Philippines could have won eight gold medals at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
Tolentino said he was not ashamed of his earlier projection that the country could secure eight gold medals.
He pointed to several opportunities that could have added to the Philippines’ gold-medal tally, including the silver medal finishes of boxer Carlo Paalam and MMA fighter Jean Claude Saclag, as well as the bronze medal of middle-distance runner Victoria Bossong.
Tolentino said the Philippines could have reached eight golds by selecting some of the silver and bronze medalists who came close to winning their respective events.
The Philippines ultimately finished with four gold medals, nine silvers and 16 bronzes.
(Photo Courtesy: Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino)
