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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Grapplers Ramirez, Napolis banner Team PH in Asian Beach Games

Grapplers Ramirez, Napolis banner Team PH in Asian Beach Games

Published Apr 14, 2026 02:44 pm

At A Glance

  • Hoping to replicate if not best its two-gold, four-silver, 15-bronze performance in the last edition in Da Nang, Vietnam in 2016, Tolentino is pinning his hopes on the jiu-jitsu, beach volleyball, triathlon and 3x3 basketball teams.
Kaila Napolis, left, and Annie Ramirez. (File Photo)
Kaila Napolis, left, and Annie Ramirez. (File Photo)
Jiu-jitsu standouts Annie Ramirez and Kaila Napolis banner a 101-strong Philippine delegation to the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China on April 22 to 30.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino assured that the national delegation is already armed and ready for the continental showpiece that will be staged for the first time in 10 years.
“Everything and everyone is ready from opening to closing,” said Tolentino as the Philippine team is set to participate across 15 sports in this year’s edition.
Hoping to replicate if not best its two-gold, four-silver, 15-bronze performance in the last edition in Da Nang, Vietnam in 2016, Tolentino is pinning his hopes on the jiu-jitsu, beach volleyball, triathlon and 3x3 basketball teams.
All eyes should be on Ramirez, one of the only two gold medalists from the 2016 team – the other one being Meggie Ochoa – as she bids for her third ABG title. 
Napolis, on the other hand, are seen as one of Team PH’s strong podium contenders, having won a silver in the 2025 World Games in Chengdu.
Looking to carry the momentum from the breakthrough gold in the women’s beach volleyball in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, Sunny Villapando hopes to lead Sofiah Pagara, Khyle Progella and Grydelle Matibag to the podium.
Although brimming with enough talent, Tolentino said it would be hard to make medal predictions especially since it’s been awhile since the last ABG.
“It’s been 10 years since the last Beach Games. But we have athletes in jiu-jitsu, beach volleyball and handball, and we have, too, in wrestling and triathlon,” said Tolentino as Team PH eyes a strong performance especially that the next edition of the ABG will be held in Cebu in 2028.
Spearheading the triathlon teams are Raven Alcoseba and Erika Burgos in the women’s side and the men’s trio of Andrew Remolino, Inaki Lorbes and Matthew Hermosa while Mikka Cacho is leading the women’s 3x3 team alongside Kaye Pingol, Elisha Bade, and Reynalyn Ferrer.
The men’s team, on the other hand, has Nic Cabanero, Gelo Crisostomo, Sean Torculas and Jeff Manday.
Team PH is also fielding teams in athletics, dragon boat, handball, kiteboarding, sailing, sports climbing, teqball, windsurfing and wrestling.

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Asian Beach Games POC President Bambol Tolentino Annie Ramirez
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