NAGOYA, Japan — Team Philippines is running out of time, and Bambol Tolentino isn’t blinking. The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president predicts the delegation will blow past its four-gold haul from Hangzhou before the 20th Asian Games close Sunday.

Speaking with reporters as the continental showpiece neared its homestretch, Tolentino said the Filipino delegation still has several strong medal chances left. The Philippines has three golds in Nagoya, one shy of matching its Hangzhou total.

Philippines Asian Games Medal Count: The Gold Chase in Nagoya

With three days left, the math is simple for the Philippine delegation. “Last 3 days, still hoping for more golds,” Tolentino said. He is confident the country will clear the four golds it won in Hangzhou in 2023.

Those four golds came from pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena, jiu-jitsu fighters Meggie and Annie Ramirez, and Gilas Pilipinas. Nagoya has delivered three so far, with Carlos Yulo winning two and Obiena adding one.

Tolentino acknowledged some unexpected early heartbreaks, most notably the exits of the Sibol Mobile Legends squad and MMA athlete Jean Claude Saclag. Still, he said other sports remain in contention to step up.

Alex Eala, Carlo Paalam Lead Philippines’ Late Gold Medal Hopes

Tolentino named several events where a late surge could happen, including tennis, boxing, martial arts, beach volleyball, padel, golf and team sports. “Of course, Alex [Eala],” he said, before pointing to boxing and Carlo Paalam.

He also pointed to judo and jiu-jitsu, hoping for two golds, and called padel a late entry. Tolentino added that he did not know the dynamics of softball.

He voiced confidence in the golf contingent led by Bianca Pagdanganan and Rianne Malixi. With the Games set to end Sunday, he urged the nation to rally behind the remaining Filipino athletes chasing podium finishes.

“Let’s pray for our athletes at Team Philippines,” Tolentino said. He added that he hopes the country will surely go past four golds.