The Philippine women’s sepak takraw team made history at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games after winning the country’s first-ever medal in the women’s doubles event.
Abegail Sinogbuhan, Jean Marie Sucalit and substitute Nelly Jay Saron captured silver after losing to Vietnam, 15-8, 15-4, in the gold-medal match at Mizuho Park Gymnasium in Nagoya on Sept. 29.
The Filipinas struggled to match Vietnam’s pace as the Vietnamese trio of Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, Nguyen Thi Khanh Ly and Le Thi Hong Lien controlled both sets. Vietnam pulled away midway through the opening set and maintained its advantage throughout the final.
Despite the defeat, the Philippine team produced its best-ever finish in sepak takraw at the Asian Games. The historic run began with victories over host Japan and India in the group stage, followed by a loss to South Korea. The Philippines then swept Laos, 15-12, 15-10, in the semifinals to secure a place in the final.
Sinogbuhan said the team had not expected to reach the championship match and had initially hoped simply to win a medal. Sucalit, meanwhile, reflected on previous international competitions in which the team returned home without a podium finish.
The silver also gave the Philippines its second medal in sepak takraw at the Games. The men’s regu team had earlier secured a bronze, giving the country two medals in the sport at Aichi-Nagoya.
For Sinogbuhan, Sucalit and Saron, the result represents the culmination of years of training and setbacks and places Philippine women’s sepak takraw in a new chapter on the Asian Games stage.
The historic silver added another podium finish to the Philippines’ 2026 Asian Games campaign while establishing the women’s doubles team as the country’s first medalists in the event.
