Junior players target podium finish at Asian U19 Sepak Takraw tourney
(L-R) John Deryck Diego, Walter Torres, Patrick Gregorio, Karen Tanchanco-Caballero, Jay Ann Balwit at the PSA Forum, November 10, 2026. PSA photoMANILA — The country’s junior players are confident heading into the inaugural ASTAF U19 Asian Sepak Takraw Championships, where they will target a podium finish.
The Philippines will host the tournament on November 26-30 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
“Hindi naman po kami pupunta dito kung hindi namin kakayanin (mag-medal). Confident naman po tayo. We will try to do our best,” said 16-year-old Jay Ann Balwit during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Philippine Sports Commission media center.
“Kaya po namin mag-podium finish dahil sa hard training namin na kasama na ang physical, mental at emotional,” added 17-year-old John Deryck Diego.
Both have enjoyed local and international success, with Balwit former bagging a doubles silver medal in the last Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur, while Diego copped a bronze in the rings event in the 2026 33rd Thailand Southeast Asian Games.
According to Philippine Sepak Takraw Association, Inc. president Karen Tanchanco-Caballero, the members of the national team have been training since September at the Bulacan Sports Complex.
Up for grabs in the tournament are medals in the boys and girls regu, boys doubles and boys and girls quadrant events.
So far, 15 countries and close to 300 participants are confirmed to see action in the competition sanctioned by the Asian Sepak Takraw Federation.
The foreign nations that have committed to play in the international sepak takraw showcase are Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei, India, Indonesia, Iraq, South Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam, Iran, Nepal and Oman, according to Caballero.
Meanwhile, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio noted that sepak takraw needs “special attention.” “This is one sport that can be developed,” he stressed.
The PSC is also rushing the renovation of the heritage-rich Rizal Memorial Coliseum in time for the Asian meet “so that it will be beautiful and presentable,” according to Gregorio.