Team Philippines entered the hit Netflix competition Physical: Asia with high expectations and an identity rooted in grit, athleticism, and national pride. But after a tense elimination episode aired on November 11, their journey came to a premature end—making them the third country to exit the regional fitness reality show.

The loss surprised many Filipino viewers who believed the country’s blend of boxing heritage, strength sports, and combat excellence could thrive on a global stage. Yet the team’s exit didn’t come down to a single performance. Instead, it was the product of structural challenges, strategic mismatches, mental toll, and unexpected circumstances that compounded over time.

This is a closer look at why Team Philippines ultimately fell short.

1. A Competition Built for Endurance—Not the Strength They Trained For

Strongman champion Ray Querubin, one of the Philippines’ anchors on the show, openly admitted that Physical: Asia was unlike anything he had prepared for.

While Querubin had dominated the strongman scene from 2016 to 2019—rising as high as 9th in the world rankings—his background didn’t fully translate to the show’s format.

“As a strongman athlete, we train specific movements. Specific ang training namin. But in Physical: Asia, talagang nabigla ako. I was surprised by how much endurance was needed… Hindi lang lakas talaga,” Querubin said.

Physical challenges on the show demanded sustained stamina, explosive pacing, agility, and multi-stage endurance—attributes more common in CrossFit-style or functional fitness athletes.

The Shipwreck challenge, where Querubin struggled to maximize his 50-kg crate hauling, exposed this gap. What should have been an advantage—raw power—became difficult to capitalize on in an event designed to reward speed over brute strength.

2. Mental Wear and Pressure Took Their Toll

Querubin also revealed that viewer criticism affected him more deeply than expected.

After the Shipwreck challenge aired, online commentary intensified, particularly from Filipino fans who expected strongman-dominant performances. Querubin admitted that these criticisms impacted both his confidence and composure.

“Mental strength din kailangan. Not just power. Every challenge tested not only my body but also my focus and willpower,” he said.

On a show where razor-thin margins separate survival and elimination, even slight dips in confidence can alter team dynamics, pacing, and decision-making.

3. Manny Pacquiao’s Sudden Exit Changed Everything

One of the biggest blows to Team Philippines was the unexpected departure of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, who left midway through the competition due to “another obligation.”

Pacquiao wasn’t just a symbolic figure—he was the team’s strategic anchor, motivator, and emotional center.

Querubin admitted the impact was immense:

“Masakit lalo na kung nandun ka sa arena. It broke our hearts. Pacquiao was our leader… the one who drove us.”

Without Pacquiao:

• The team lost its most experienced competitor.

• Leadership responsibilities became fragmented.

• Momentum and morale dipped at a crucial point in the tournament.

In a team-based competition of endurance and cohesion, Pacquiao’s exit was more than a lineup change—it was a destabilizing shift.

4. Facing Powerhouse Countries at Their Peak

The Philippines struggled to keep pace with Korea and Australia, widely considered the top contenders in the competition.

These teams brought:

• Athletes with elite conditioning backgrounds

• A mix of CrossFit, military, and professional sports experience

• Cohesive teamwork built on similar training systems

The Philippines, meanwhile, came in with high individual talent but less collective synergy, as their athletes came from drastically different disciplines—boxing, strongman, and CrossFit—each with entirely different training philosophies.

5. Preparation vs. Reality: A Format That Punished Gaps

The blend of:

• multi-stage endurance tasks,

• teamwork-heavy challenges,

• speed-focused events, and

• high-pressure elimination rounds

created an environment where small weaknesses snowballed quickly.

Querubin himself acknowledged that the team underestimated the competition’s energy demands—not just its physical ones.

Despite strong power athletes, the Philippines lacked the uniform conditioning needed to outlast technically sharper, endurance-driven teams.

6. Despite the Loss, a Story of Pride and Resilience

Even after their exit, Querubin emphasized the unity and pride within Team Philippines.

“We supported each other through every challenge… What united us was our shared pride. Same goal, same puso.”

He also vowed to return stronger—not just in strongman competitions, where he plans a comeback in 2026, but potentially in other athletic formats where he hopes to redeem himself.

Conclusion: A Tough Loss, But Not a Failure

Team Philippines’ Physical: Asia exit wasn’t the result of a lack of talent or heart—it was the outcome of:

• mismatched training styles,

• unexpected roster changes,

• immense mental pressure, and

• facing more structurally prepared teams.

Their campaign may have ended earlier than expected, but the respect, honesty, and resilience shown—especially by athletes like Querubin—reflect the same spirit that has defined Filipino sports for generations.

And if Querubin’s determination is any indication, this exit is not an ending, but the beginning of a renewed quest for redemption on a bigger stage.

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