POC tempers expectations for Philippine delegation at 2025 SEA Games

The 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) are set to unfold in Bangkok, Thailand, from December 9 to 20, with the Philippines fielding one of its largest contingents yet — a 1,600-strong delegation of athletes ready to compete across multiple sports.

However, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino is managing expectations ahead of the regional meet, noting that several events where Filipino athletes traditionally excel have been dropped from the competition program by the hosts.

“Lahat ng medalist natin, tinanggal na ‘yung event. In martial arts, inalis na ‘yung mga weight category,” Tolentino shared in a recent media briefing.

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Under SEA Games regulations, host nations have the discretion to include indigenous sports and adjust event categories to their preference — a rule that has often influenced medal tallies.

In 2019, when the Philippines hosted the Games, the inclusion of arnis proved pivotal, yielding 14 gold medals for the home side. Similarly, Cambodia, as the 2023 hosts, introduced Kun Bokator and Teqball, sports in which their athletes dominated. The Philippines finished fifth overall in that edition, tallying 58 golds, 85 silvers, and 117 bronzes.

LOOK: Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino (second from right) presents the 24 medalists of the just-concluded Asian Youth Games in Bahrain during a press conference at the East Ocean Restaurant in Pasay City on Monday (Nov. 3, 2025).

The Philippines… pic.twitter.com/5tTKsajQLJ

— Philippine News Agency (@pnagovph) November 3, 2025

Given the event lineup in Thailand, Tolentino believes matching that fifth-place finish would already be a success.

“To maintain the last ranking, okay na ‘yun,” he said. “Kasi nga, ngayon pa lang, inalis na lahat ng potential golds natin. Martial arts, marami. Marami din tayong potential doon. So mabigat talaga.”

Team Philippines will also be without some of its biggest names. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo has opted out due to a new host-imposed rule limiting gymnasts to just one apparatus in the individual finals. Several of the country’s elite cue artists will also skip the competition, while Olympic boxing silver medalist Carlo Paalam will not travel to Thailand.

Despite the challenges, Tolentino remains hopeful that the Philippines can make up ground in newly introduced or returning team sports.

“Hopefully, makabawi doon sa mga team sports na bago — floorball, ice hockey, ice skating,” he said.

With a massive delegation and a mix of veterans and new faces, Team Philippines will aim to stay among Southeast Asia’s top sporting nations as the 2025 SEA Games get underway in Bangkok.

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