Philippine youth delegation eyes golden return at Asian Youth Games in Bahrain

With a blend of youthful optimism and quiet determination, the Philippines is setting its sights high for the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Manama, Bahrain, from October 22 to 31, confident that its new generation of athletes can deliver another milestone performance on the continental stage.

The 141-strong Filipino contingent, composed of some of the country’s most promising young talents, will compete in 18 of the 26 sports on the program — from volleyball and boxing to athletics and martial arts — carrying the banner of a nation hungry to build on its legacy from the games’ last staging in 2013.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino believes this delegation has what it takes to make an impact.

“We’ll train and do our best to get a medal,” said boxer Leo Mhar Lobrido, one of two flag bearers for Team Philippines.

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LOOK

Alas Pilipinas U-18 line-up for the Asian Youth Games 2025 in Bahrain has been released!

Roster:

Harlyn Serneche
Denesse Daylisan
Samantha Cantada
Raine Alonzo
Micaella Gould
Rain Navarro
Rhose Almendralejo
Jai Adrao
Bella Cruz
Adeleine Agustin
Atasha Doroja… pic.twitter.com/kyJmcxM0xH

— Volleytrails (@volleytrails) October 4, 2025

Lobrido, a standout from Bago City, Negros Occidental, has already shown flashes of his potential after winning at the Fourth Greater Bay Area Youth Boxing Challenge in Shenzhen, China. His performance there cemented his status as one of the country’s brightest medal hopes in Bahrain.

Joining him as flag bearer is volleyball standout Harlene Serneche, a product of National University’s high school program, who will also lead the country’s young spikers in Bahrain.

“We have potential and hopefully we’ll be competitive there,” said Serneche, the 18-year-old who is entering her freshman year with NU’s college squad.

The Philippine volleyball team, composed primarily of NU’s core and reinforced by Tay Tung High School standout Rhose Almendralejo, is determined to make its presence felt despite limited international experience.

“It’s a big pressure for me because this is only the second time I’m competing outside the country,”shared Almendralejo. “I hope to help the team and do well.”

Volleyball Federation of the Philippines president Ramon “Tats” Suzara will serve as chef de mission of the national delegation, which also features athletes in teqball, golf, triathlon, MMA, taekwondo, muay thai, athletics, boxing, cycling, weightlifting, table tennis, badminton, wrestling, aquatics, jiu-jitsu, kurash, and pencak silat.

The Philippines aims to at least match — if not surpass — the two gold medals won by Pauline Lopez (taekwondo) and Mia Legaspi (golf), along with three silvers, from the country’s last Asian Youth Games campaign in Nanjing, China.

According to Tolentino, Bahrain is ready to host over 4,200 athletes and nearly 2,000 team officials and coaches, signaling a grand return for the youth-focused competition after more than a decade.

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