Philippines settles for 6th overall after missing 4th-place target in SEA Games

Team Philippines wrapped up its campaign at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games with 50 gold medals, enough to finish sixth overall as the biennial meet concluded on Dec. 20.

The result came close to the Philippine Sports Commission’s goal of a 4th-place finish, according to PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio, and was behind the country’s performance in the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia in 2023, where the Philippines placed fifth.

Filipino delegates mounted a late push to break into the top four but eventually fell short, finishing behind Malaysia’s 57 golds and 52 from Singapore.

The medal haul began early as John Derrick Farr claimed the first medal for the country after cruising for a bronze in MTB downhill on Dec. 10.

This was quickly followed by the Philippines’ first gold from Justin Kobe Macario who bested foreign competitors in the taekwondo freestyle poomsae event.

Meanwhile, former Canadian Olympian Kayla Sanchez contributed the most medals for the country after amassing three gold and five silvers in various swimming events.

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala also bagged the gold for the country to redeem herself after a bronze finish in Vietnam, while EJ Obiena completed his 4-peat gold in pole vault.

Despite Thailand’s dominant 14-gold sweep in Boxing, decorated boxer Eumir Marcial managed to squeeze-in another gold for the country in the men’s 80kg category.

Overall, the Filipino delegation hauled a total of 277 medals, including 73 silvers and a meet-high 154 bronze.

To reward their achievements, athletes will receive ₱300,000 for gold medalists, ₱150,000 for silver, and bronze medalists will receive ₱60,000 as incentives, as mandated by the Republic Act 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.