Philippine aquatics body upbeat on SEA Games medal bid

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Aquatics Inc. (PAI) expressed strong confidence in the national team’s chances in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, set on December 9-22 at the Bangkok Swimming Center in Thailand.

“We formed a competitive young team. Our athletes are the best from our elite pool. They went through a tough national tryout, and all of them are capable of winning medals since we used the bronze-medal time from the last SEA Games as our qualifying standard,” PAI Secretary General Eric Buhain said during his appearance at the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports Inc. (TOPS) “Usapang Sports” forum held at the PSC Conference Room in Manila.

Buhain said the lineup is a balanced mix of youth and experience, led by Olympic medalist and Filipino-Canadian standout Kyla Sanchez.

“We saw Kyla’s performances in the Asian Games and the Tokyo Olympics, but the SEA Games is a different stage. We expect a tough fight,” he noted.

PAI is eyeing at least four gold medals in the Thailand meet.

“But whatever the colors, I’m sure aquatics will contribute significantly to the Philippine delegation’s campaign,” Buhain added at the weekly sports forum sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Behrouz Persian Cuisine, Pocari Sweat and Lila Healthy Premium Coffee.

In the previous SEA Games in Cambodia, the Philippines collected two gold medals — from Xiandi Chua (200m backstroke) and Tei Salvino (100m backstroke) — along with six silvers and seven bronzes.

Buhain believes the 2025 squad is more seasoned, citing extensive training across various international camps.

“Kyla and Logan Eataru are in deep training in Canada. Xiandi Chua and Chloe Isleta trained in Australia, while several others, including Miranda Renner, Joran Paul Orogon, Gian Santos and Heather White — who recently debuted with Duke University in the US NCAA — are coming from programs in the United States,” he said.

Also expected to make an impact are homegrown talents Quendy Fernandez, UAAP Most Valuable Player from Palawan; former junior champion Micaela Mojdeh; and 15-year-old Ilocos Sur standout Kyla Louise Bulaga.

The aquatics delegation will also field divers Rose Ann Ocmer and Janat Mary Rodrigiez, the 28-strong men’s and women’s water polo teams, and — for the first time — four athletes in the open water event: Jada Corrine Cruz, Graziella Sophia Ato, Alexander Lawrence Chua and Joshua Raphael Del Rio.

“We only have an entry in artistic swimming, but hopefully by the next SEA Games we can form a full team,” Buhain added.

The PAI official also thanked the organization’s regional directors for intensifying grassroots development efforts, along with the continued support of the Philippine Sports Commission, Speedo and the MVP Sports Foundation.