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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider 'Golds that matter most': Gregorio finds fulfillment in Team PH's overall showing at SEAG

'Golds that matter most': Gregorio finds fulfillment in Team PH's overall showing at SEAG

Published Dec 20, 2025 03:26 pm

At A Glance

  • BANGKOK — Team Philippines may have fallen short of surpassing its previous medal haul, coming just three golds shy of its target fifth-place finish, but the country's sports officials found pride in Filipino athletes winning the events that mattered most.
The Gilas Pilipinas Men and Women celebrate their gold medals at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games. (POC Media Pool)
The Gilas Pilipinas Men and Women celebrate their gold medals at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games. (POC Media Pool)
BANGKOK — Team Philippines may have fallen short of surpassing its previous medal haul, coming just three golds shy of its target fifth-place finish, but the country’s sports officials found pride in Filipino athletes winning the events that mattered most.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio highlighted the significance of the wins, noting that the nation captured the golds that counted -- the men’s and women’s basketball titles and the historic first-ever top podium finish in women’s football.
“I think you will share with all of me the assessment and the 112 million Filipinos will agree that we won the golds in sports that matter most,” said Gregorio after Gilas Pilipinas’ victory brought Team PH’s total to 50 gold, 73 silver and 153 bronze medals.
It was good for sixth in the overall medal tally, just behind Singapore, which collected 52 golds, 61 silvers and 87 bronzes at the fifth. Malaysia came in fourth with 56 golds, 57 silvers and 117 bronzes. 
As expected, host Thailand dominated the medal tally 232 golds, 154 silvers and 108 bronzes – a result that didn’t particularly concern Gregorio, as the rules, eligibility criteria and choice of sports largely favored the host team.
“Football. Basketball. And all the other sports. In sports that matter most. Especially to Thailand. We won in the sports that matter most,” said Gregorio.
“Congratulations, Thailand. For winning number one. But tayo, yung gusto natin manalo na sa events na gusto nating maipanalo. At yung mga ginto na nanalo tayo na hindi natin akalain na mananalo tayo, tayo pa rin ang nanalo, like football. So, we won in sports that matter most,” he added. 
Though often overlooked in the medal standings, Gregorio also pointed out the number of bronze medals the country earned, which he said reflected the impact of sending a 1,600-strong delegation – mostly young athletes gaining valuable international experience.
Some even went on to win gold, like middle-distance runners Naomi Cesar and Hussein Loraña claiming the top spot, and 11-year-old skateboarders Mazel Alegado and Elizabeth Amador finishing first and second.
“We are the number one country in terms of bronze medals. What does that mean? Yun yung grassroots. That is the future of Philippine sports, tama yung desisyon na i-expose sila sa ganito,” Gregorio said.
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