The Philippines has captured its first medal at the 20th Asian Games, with the women's soft tennis team winning a bronze at the Nagoya City Higashiyama Park Tennis Center on Sunday.
Historic Achievement for Philippine Soft Tennis
We're extremely glad that we won a medal for our country. This isn’t just for us, it’s for the Philippines—especially since we turned out to be the first to bring home a medal.
Bien Zoleta, Team Captain
- The team defeated Mongolia (3-0) and Thailand (2-1) in the preliminaries.
- Despite a semifinal loss to Japan, their earlier wins secured them a bronze medal.
The Philippine team, consisting of Bien Zoleta, Princess Catinding, Christy Sanosa, Hilary Paas, and Shyryn Salazar, competed bravely against the defending champions from Japan, suffering a 0-2 defeat in the semifinals. However, their earlier victories ensured they would leave with a medal.
Reflecting on the significance of their win, Zoleta expressed hope that this achievement would uplift the spirits of fellow athletes competing in the Games. She emphasized that this success is a step towards greater recognition and growth for soft tennis in the Philippines.
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio witnessed the match and celebrated the team's historic win. He noted the potential for further development in soft tennis, encouraging athletes to remain focused for future competitions.