The Philippines is sending its largest-ever delegation to the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand from December 9 to 20, with nearly 1,200 athletes aiming to surpass the previous medal haul. Familiar faces and newcomers will be in the spotlight as the country targets more than the 58 golds won in 2023 in Cambodia.
With this record delegation, the Philippines aims to exceed the 58 golds, 86 silvers, and 116 bronzes from the 2023 edition in Cambodia. One newcomer is Sanchez, making her debut for the Philippines after switching from Canada. The 24-year-old Olympian with silver and bronze from Tokyo 2020 joins swimming stars Xiandi Chua and Teia Salvino as a top contender.
Cray, a 37-year-old Filipino-American, may be in his final SEA Games, seeking to add to his eight golds from six editions, especially in the men's 400m hurdles where he has won six straight times.
In basketball, Ravena returns to Gilas Pilipinas for redemption after the 2021 loss to Indonesia in Vietnam. He recently parted ways with Dubai Basketball.
Boxing features Olympians Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Marcial, but watch first-timer Mindoro from Zamboanga del Sur, a 25-year-old with a 15-0-1 pro record, all victories by knockout.
Catantan, 23, aims to reclaim the women's foil title she forfeited for silver in 2023 due to a knee injury, joined by sisters Janna and Sophia.
In gymnastics, with Carlos Yulo skipping due to the one-medal rule, Cruz (2023 floor exercise gold) and Besana (vault gold) shoulder the load.
Judo's Ramirez, 34, targets a fourth straight SEA gold after two golds at the JJIF World Championships. Taekwondo's 18-year-old Mangin, a University of Santo Tomas athlete, won gold at the World Junior Championships and nearly qualified for the Olympics at 16.
Tennis star Eala seeks to improve on her 2023 bronze, holding a career-high No. 50 WTA ranking, and will be a flag bearer with Bryan Bagunas. In weightlifting, 16-year-old Peralta brings silver and bronze from the Asian Youth Games and a golden sweep in the 55kg class at the IWF World Youth and Junior Championships.