NAGOYA—Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio voiced overwhelming pride in Team Philippines’ showing at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. He highlighted medals in 18 to 19 sports as a massive leap forward for Philippine sports.

Gregorio, joined by PSC Commissioner Walter Torres and Executive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy, spoke to Philippine sports media in Nagoya. He congratulated the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the National Sports Associations (NSAs).

The POC is headed by President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Secretary General Wharton Chan. The NSAs delivered multiple medals and first-time breakthroughs in Japan. Gregorio also compared the haul with that of the Hangzhou Asian Games.

“We’re very happy we won so many medals in so many sports—kung ’di po ako nagkakamali, 18, 19 sports. In China [2023 Hangzhou Asian Games], we won in 11 sports.

“’Yan po ang malaking pagbabago, at ’yan po ang importante sa ating development ng Philippine sports, sa ating grassroots program,” Gregorio said. He tied the change to the country’s grassroots development.

Asian Games Cash Incentives Reach About P35 Million

According to Gregorio, the PSC’s initial computation of government cash incentives for Filipino medalists and their coaches has reached about P35 million. He hopes the total climbs, with corporate sponsors and the Office of the President ready to reward athletes.

Gregorio detailed the figure. “Umaabot na po siya sa higit-kumulang mga P35 million in incentives or rewards to the Filipino athletes who won a medal, and that’s for the athletes and for the coaches.

“Sana dagdagan pa ’yang 35 na ’yan! Sana dumami pa, wala po tayong problema diyan,” the PSC chief shared with a smile.

Tachiana Mangin’s Silver Medal Run Shows Heart of Filipino Athletes

Asked about social media critics who focus on losses while overlooking the country’s upward trajectory in Olympic disciplines, Gregorio urged Filipinos to appreciate the true spirit of competition. He pointed to the blood and tears behind every podium finish.

Gregorio cited 18-year-old taekwondo silver medalist Tachiana Keizha Mangin’s dramatic run. “Look at our gold medal tally: we have four, hopefully five; we have eight, nine silver medals, and look at the number of bronze medals,” he pointed out.

He then turned to Mangin’s path to the finals. “Alam niyo, ’yung realization ko was when I watched Tachiana Mangin last night. Paano po siya napunta sa finals?

“She was down by three points against her Japanese foe [Ruka Okamoto] in the last one second. Na-roundhouse kick pa niya ’yung kalaban niyang Japanese. Nanalo pa siya nung countback, nagpunta siya sa finals.”

Gregorio noted that Mangin faced China’s Ma Jingyue in the Women’s -49kg Gold Medal Contest. In his account, both fighters battled to a 0-0 deadlock in Round 1 and Round 2 before the Chinese entrant was awarded the bout via superiority.

“When she cried when she entered the finals, it was the same tears when she lost the gold. ’Yun ho ’yung dapat maintindihan ng mga kababayan natin,” Gregorio emphasized.