December 30, 2025
by Zeth Angelo Bacaoco
Team Philippines concluded its campaign at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand on Saturday, December 20, finishing sixth overall with an impressive haul of 50 gold, 73 silver, and 154 bronze medals for a total of 277 medals.
While the sixth-place finish marked a one-spot drop from the Philippines’ fifth-place ranking at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games, the performance was highlighted by breakthrough victories that ended decades-long droughts and established new milestones in Philippine sports history.
Largest Delegation Falls Short of Target
The Philippines sent approximately 1,168 athletes competing in 50 sports, making it the largest-ever Philippine delegation to the SEA Games. Despite this unprecedented scale of participation, the team fell short of the 60-gold target set by Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino at the Games’ outset.
Following a tight battle for fifth place with Malaysia and Singapore, the Philippines eventually finished sixth behind Singapore, which claimed fifth with 52 golds. Host Thailand dominated the competition with a record-breaking 233 gold medals, followed by Indonesia with 91 golds, Vietnam with 87, Malaysia with 57, and Singapore rounding out the top five.
Historic Breakthroughs Define Philippine Campaign
Despite the overall placement, Team Philippines delivered several watershed moments that rewrote the country’s sporting narrative. The Filipinas captured a historic women’s football crown, ending the two-country duopoly of Thailand and Vietnam by beating both on penalties in the semifinal and final, respectively.
In beach volleyball, Sisi Rondina, Bernadeth Pons, Dij Rodriguez, and Sunnie Villapando delivered the country’s first-ever women’s beach volleyball title, dethroning eight-time champion Thailand. The victory represented one of the Games’ most significant upsets and showcased the growing strength of Philippine beach volleyball.
Tennis sensation Alexandra Eala added another historic achievement to her impressive resume. Eala ended a 26-year wait for a Filipina to clinch the women’s singles gold after beating a pair of Thai opponents in her last two matches. Her victory sparked celebrations across the Philippine tennis community and confirmed her status as the country’s premier racquet sports athlete.
Basketball Glory Caps Memorable Campaign
Gilas Pilipinas delivered a dramatic 70-64 victory over host Thailand in the men’s basketball final, with Jamie Malonzo contributing 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 steals. The hard-fought win completed a basketball sweep for the Philippines, as both the men’s and women’s teams claimed gold medals, bringing the country’s 50th and final gold of the Games spectacularly.
The victory held special significance given the challenging circumstances surrounding the tournament, with Philippine officials noting difficulties in the host’s handling of certain aspects of the competition.
Swimming Resurgence Led by Sanchez
The Philippines enjoyed a resurgence in swimming behind the smashing SEA Games debut of Kayla Sanchez, who earned distinction as the most medalled Filipino athlete with a personal haul of three golds and five silvers. Her dominance in the pool marked the first time since 2009 that the Philippines won more than two swimming golds in a single SEA Games.
Sanchez captured gold in the 100-meter backstroke, 100-meter freestyle, and women’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay, while adding five silver medals across various events. Her performance signals a promising future for Philippine aquatics.
Young Stars and Veteran Champions Shine
The Games saw the emergence of 16-year-old Naomi Cesar, who stunned the competition by winning gold in the women’s 800 meters, breaking Vietnam’s 26-year dominance in the event. Her older sister, Malea Cesar, contributed to the historic women’s football gold, making the Cesar family one of the most celebrated at the Games.
World-class pole vaulter EJ Obiena dramatically defended his title, securing his fourth consecutive SEA Games gold medal through a countback decision after he and Thailand’s Patsapong Amsamarng both cleared 5.70 meters but failed three attempts at 5.75 meters.
Boxing legend Eumir Marcial captured the Philippines’ lone boxing gold and was honored as the country’s flag bearer during the closing ceremony at Rajamangala Stadium.
Medal Distribution Across Sports
Athletics produced the most medals for the country with five golds, courtesy of EJ Obiena, Naomi Cesar, Hussein Loraña, Hokett delos Santos, and John Cabang Tolentino. Practical shooting came in second with four golds, followed by swimming, triathlon, and modern pentathlon squads with three each.
Overall, athletics delivered 31 total medals, including five golds, seven silvers, and 19 bronzes, making it the country’s most productive sport. Swimming followed with 14 medals, while taekwondo also contributed 14 medals to the national tally.
Looking Ahead
While Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio acknowledged the sixth-place finish, he emphasized that the SEA Games serve as a crucial building ground for Filipino athletes preparing for larger international competitions, including the Asian Games and Olympics.
The 2025 Southeast Asian Games demonstrated both the growing depth of Philippine sports and the challenges that remain in competing against the region’s traditional powerhouses. Nevertheless, the historic breakthroughs in women’s football, beach volleyball, and tennis, combined with continued dominance in basketball and the emergence of young talent like Naomi Cesar, provide reasons for optimism as the country looks toward future regional and international competitions.