EJ Obiena Is No Longer Alone: Philippines Track Team Storms Asian Games

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EJ Obiena is no longer carrying Philippine athletics on his own. At the 20th Asian Games, the national track and field team turned a one-man show into a three-medal statement.

Obiena won pole vault gold, while John Cabang Tolentino and Victoria Bossong added bronze medals in the 110-meter hurdles and 800 meters. It was the Philippines’ first Asian Games track podium since Lydia de Vega in 1986.

PATAFA president Terry Capistrano outlined plans to build a deeper and more competitive Philippine track and field team. [POC Media pool]

Obiena, Tolentino and Bossong Power Philippines’ Asian Games Medal Haul

Obiena soared to pole vault gold in another record-breaking performance, reaffirming his dominance in Asia. Tolentino then battled through rain and injury to claim bronze in the men’s 110-meter hurdles.

Bossong completed the haul with a breakout run in the women’s 800 meters, taking bronze in her Asian Games debut. Her result and Tolentino’s ended the Philippines’ long wait for a place on the Asian Games track podium.

The team’s participation was also supported by ICTSI and Bloomberry Cultural Foundation. Together, the three medals showed clear progress for a program aiming to contend in top-tier competitions.

PATAFA President Terry Capistrano Outlines Plan to Build Philippine Track Team

Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) president Terry Capistrano said the focus is now widening beyond Obiena. “We’ll build a team around them,” he said of Tolentino and Bossong.

Capistrano said the plan needs full-time commitment, with at least 50 percent of each athlete’s time devoted to training. He added that physiotherapists, therapists and, if necessary, a psychologist would be needed.

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio praised Capistrano as “God’s gift to Philippine athletics.” Gregorio also credited him with vision, great PR and a sense of humor.

Capistrano also pointed to Yacine Guermali, whose 5,000-meter run showed the country’s growing depth. Looking ahead to the SEA Games, he said the team should be fine and competitive in bigger tournaments as well.

“The future is bright,” Capistrano said. “You now have a team that you can seriously say has stepped up to another level.”