MANILA – The 1,200-strong Team Philippines, which produced 50 gold medals at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, topped the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) monthly achievers for December 2025.
The contingent, which also scooped 73 silvers and 154 bronzes, finished sixth overall in the medal tally board behind Thailand (233-154-113), Indonesia (91-112-130), Vietnam (87-81-110), Malaysia (57-57-117), and Singapore (52-61-89).
Filipino-Canadian swimmer Kayla Noelle Sanchez debuted in the biennial meet with eight medals, three golds and five silvers.
Pole vaulter EJ Obiena won his fourth straight gold medal while 16-year-old Naomi Cesar dominated the 800m event as the athletics team garnered five golds, seven silvers and 19 bronzes to register its second-best performance since winning 32 medals in 1983.
Practical shooters led by world champion Rolly Tecson delivered four golds, five silvers and five bronzes.
Swimming captured three golds, nine silvers and two bronzes, followed by modern pentathlon (3-3-1), triathlon (3-5-2) and gymnastics (3-2-7).
Gilas Pilipinas Men retained the 5-on-5 title, while their female counterparts regained the crown, both at the Thais’ expense.
The Philippines won the men’s and women’s softball titles as well as the men’s baseball title.
Tennis sensation Alex Eala ended a 26-year drought in women’s singles, Eumir Marcial produced boxing’s only gold and Peter Groseclose pocketed the gold (men’s 500m short track speed skating) and silver (1,500m) in winter sports’ comeback.
In women’s football, the Filipinas dethroned eight-time winner Vietnam on penalties, 6-5, after a 0-0 tie at the end of extra time.
Alas Pilipinas made history in women’s beach volleyball with Sisi Rondina, Bernadeth Pons, Sunnie Villapando and Dij Rodriguez ending Thailand’s dynasty. (PNA)
