How a postponed tournament led to a historic gold for Philippine basketball
In short: Originally slated for 2022, the Asian Games in Hangzhou were delayed by the pandemic. This extra time allowed the Philippines to regroup, leading to a monumental victory for the men's basketball team—their first gold in the competition since 1962.
Major logistical changes defined the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, which ran from 23 September until 8 October 2023. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was rescheduled from its original 2022 date. For the Philippines, the buildup began as early as February 2021, with officials like George Canlas initially serving as chef de mission. The delegation's later leadership included Richard Gomez, who served as the chef de mission for the 2023 games.
The Philippine basketball men's team achieved a historic milestone by winning gold, their first such achievement at the Asian Games since 1962. This success came under intense pressure; head coach Tim Cone took over the role on short notice following the departure of Chot Reyes, who had led the team through the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup just weeks prior. However, the victory was shadowed by controversy when player Justin Brownlee tested positive for Carboxy THC. Under current regulations, the gold is expected to stand because the rules require at least two players to fail doping tests for a disqualification to occur.
The delegation's performance was a mix of individual brilliance and roster instability. Pole vaulter EJ Obiena secured the nation's first gold by clearing 5.90m, surpassing his nearest competitor by 0.25m. While the country finished with a total of four golds, two silvers, and 12 bronze medals, several teams faced setbacks. The women's 3x3 basketball team was forced to withdraw after a replacement appeal was denied, and the women's football team, despite reaching the quarterfinals, suffered an 8–1 loss to Japan.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Philippines at the 2022 Asian Games
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