Soft Tennis Stars Deliver PH's First Medal at 2026 Asian Games

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The Philippines has its first medal at the 2026 Asian Games, and soft tennis delivered it. The women’s team clinched bronze at the Aichi-Nagoya Games on Sunday, Sept. 20. It is also the country’s first-ever soft tennis medal at the continental meet.

The Filipinas fell to defending champions Japan, 2-0, in the women’s team semifinals at Higashiyama Park Tennis Center. Bien Zoleta-Mañalac and Princess Catindig dropped the opening match to Japan’s Rena Temma and Kiho Miyamae.

Philippine soft tennis secured a historic women's team bronze, marking the country's first medal in the sport at the Asian Games. [Soft Tennis Pilipinas Facebook page] — Philippine soft tennis secured a historic women’s team bronze, marking the country’s first medal in the sport at the Asian Games. [Soft Tennis Pilipinas Facebook page]

Christy Sañosa put up a fight in the second match. Ayaka Iwakura then sealed the tie and sent Japan through to the gold medal match.

Zoleta-Mañalac Hails Historic Soft Tennis Bronze

Team captain Zoleta-Mañalac told POC Media the bronze was a “very historic win for us.” She said the Asian Games are the Olympics of Philippine soft tennis. “Ito ang Olympics namin,” she added.

She turned emotional while reflecting on the team’s achievement. The medal, she said, is not just for the players but for the entire country. She hopes it lifts the morale of the national athletes competing in the coming days.

Despite the loss, the home crowd applauded the Filipinas. Zoleta-Mañalac, a longtime national athlete, believes the bronze will pave the way for more players. She said “maraming mag-open na doors” for soft tennis, along with more programs in the country.

PSC Chief Gregorio Wants More Asian Games Medals

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick Gregorio watched the match in person and congratulated the team. “Mabuhay po kayo, first ever medal in the Asian Games,” he told POC Media.

He said the sport can be developed and called the Games “an opportunity to really promote the sport.” He also wanted to inspect the tennis center, which he said can serve as a blueprint for building more facilities in the country.

Gregorio whispered to the players to “give us two more medals.” He called their cheers and applause “a great motivation.”

The soft tennis squad returns to action Monday, Sept. 21, in mixed doubles. Zoleta-Mañalac will team up with Samuel Nuguit, while Christy Sañosa will play with Sherwin Nuguit. The women’s and men’s singles follow on Sept. 22.