The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) is preparing to send around 60 athletes — including two‐time Olympian EJ Obiena — to the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Thailand next month, with the clear goal of exceeding their 22‑medal haul from Cambodia in 2023.
On the boxing front, the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) will dispatch about 11 pugilists, but acknowledges it will be much harder to replicate the four gold medals they achieved in 2023, given that Thailand is a powerhouse in the sport.
The overall Philippine delegation will number around 1,600 athletes competing in the SEA Games from December 9–20, 2025, marking the country’s largest-ever contingent for the biennial event.
However, the country’s ability to climb higher in the medal tally is potentially hampered by the removal of certain events (such as weightlifting, wushu, jiu‑jitsu, and karate) from the programme by the host nation — meaning fewer potential golds for the Philippines.
With fierce competition and fewer opportunities in some sports, the Philippines is realistically focused on maintaining its standing in the regional event, rather than expecting a dramatic leap in rank.
Source: PhilNews24 | November 5, 2025
