PH nails best sepak takraw finish in Asian Games with women’s double silver

DUO. Sepak takraw players Jean Marie Sucalit (right) and Abegail Sinogbuhan in action for the Philippines in the 2026 Asian Games.

PSC-POC Media Pool

Jean Marie Sucalit, Abegail Sinogbuhan, and Nelly Jay Salon miss out on a sepak takraw gold in the 2026 Asian Games after a straight-sets loss to Vietnam in the women's double final

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines added a breakthrough sepak takraw silver to its 2026 Asian Games haul on Tuesday, September 29, courtesy of the women’s double squad of Jean Marie Sucalit, Abegail Sinogbuhan, and Nelly Jay Salon.

The Filipinas missed out on the gold after a 15-8, 15-4 loss to Vietnam in the final at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium in Japan. 

Still, it is the Philippines’ best-ever finish in the sport since sepak takraw debuted in the Asian Games in 1990, surpassing three previous bronze results.

One of those bronzes were won by the men’s regu crew of Jason Huerte, Jom Lerry Rafael, Reynaldo Asilum Jr., Glindel Phori, and Ronsited Gabayeron on Monday, September 28. 

Sucalit, Sinogbuhan, and Salon advanced to the gold-medal duel after an emphatic 15-12, 15-10 semifinal victory over Laos, the only team to beat Vietnam in the tournament.

But Vietnam proved to be a different beast, racing to a commanding 10-5 lead in the opening set then cruising the rest of the way in a match that took just 34 minutes to finish.

The Philippines has captured three silvers so far, the other two coming from mixed martial artist Jean Claude Saclag and the Gilas Women 3×3 basketball squad. – Rappler.com