Weeds have crept into lanes where SEA Games athletes once sprinted. Subic Bay’s sports complex now sits mostly quiet, waiting for a second wind.

That wind may finally be coming. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) are plotting a comeback for the Freeport Zone.

Two international events are being eyed for next year — a women’s golf championship and a possible WTA tennis tournament. Officials say the plan is bigger than sports alone.

PSC Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio and SBMA Chairman Eduardo Aliño want Subic rebranded as a genuine sports tourism magnet. Both say reviving the Freeport Zone’s facilities is step one.

Golf Comeback: Subic Targets 2027 Ladies Open Championship

Gregorio’s Subic visit kicked off at the Subic International Golf Club (SIGC), where talks centered on staging the Philippine Ladies Golf Open Championship in February 2027.

He was joined by Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco, who also serves as secretary general of the Philippine Tennis Association. PSC Chief of Staff Loujaye Sonido and tournament organizer Migs Almeda rounded out the group.

They met with SIGC leaders, including President and COO Rei Miyamoto, General Manager Delnar De Vera, and EVP Narumi Atarashi. SBMA Director Honorio “Yuri” Allado also took part.

The parties discussed a possible three-year partnership with the National Golf Association of the Philippines. If it comes together, the tournament would draw some of Asia’s top women golfers to Subic.

Tennis Revival: Subic Chases a WTA Tournament Bid

Allado later walked Gregorio through the Subic Bay Sports Complex, home to the historic Remy Field, a 2,000-seat gymnasium, four tennis courts, a beach volleyball court, and a pool.

Most of these facilities haven’t hosted a major event since the 2019 SEA Games. Years without upkeep have left them in need of serious repair.

Mayor Tiangco believes upgraded courts could change that fast. He pointed to Manila’s WTA 125 tournament earlier this year as proof the Philippines can host world-class tennis.

He called a similar Subic event a possible “game-changer” for fan engagement and global visibility. The PSC and SBMA plan to host it jointly with the Philippine Tennis Association.

Gregorio and Aliño have committed PSC and SBMA funding to the renovations. For a Freeport Zone once known for SEA Games and triathlons, it’s a shot at turning empty courts back into a stage worth watching.