Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino receives the flag of the Olympic Council of Asia during the closing ceremony of the 6th Asian Beach Games at the Yasha Park Ring Theater in Sanya, China on April 30, 2026. POC Media
MANILA -- Filipino athletes lived up to expectations in Sanya, where they finished fifth overall in the medal table of the 6th Asian Beach Games.
Team Philippines will come home with three golds, four silvers, and two bronze medals after competitions closed on Thursday night at the Yasha Park Ring Theater in the resort city.
"We were able to surpass our last performance in the ABG. In Da Nang, Vietnam in 2016, we had two gold medals. Here in Sanya, we got three, plus four silver, and two bronze," said Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino.
"It also showed that we're used to playing on beaches. We have lots of them in the Philippines," he added. "We should maximize it. This would be good preparation for our hosting in 2028. Again, we beat our previous record."
Tolentino received the flag of the Olympic Council of Asia during the closing rites, marking the countdown to Cebu City's hosting of the multi-sport event in 2028.
Vietnam finished fourth with a 3-5-5 tally while Iran ranked third (9-1-0). Thailand placed second (10-9-8) and host China lorded it over with 24 gold, 18 silver, and 13 bronze medals.
The Philippines had a 2-4-15 haul in 2016 in Vietnam.
The three mints in Sanya were courtesy of jiu-jitsu's Annie Ramirez and Alexandria Luz Enriquez and high jump standout Leonard Grospe.
The Gilas Pilipinas women squad of Mikka Cacho, Reynalyn Ferrer, Kaye Pingol, and Gabi Bade also bagged a silver in 3x3 basketball.
Also claiming silver medals were: windsurfer Dhenver John Castillo, jiu-jitsu bet Emily Thomas; and the women's relay team of Jessica Rose Laurance, Kristina Marie Knott, Lianne Diana Pama, and Shane Ponce.
The two bronze medals were copped by Laurance in the 60-meter dash and Kaila Napolis in jiu-jitsu, respectively.