TAGAYTAY CITY—A historic first-ever gold medal for the Philippines in the Ninth Asian Games in Harbin on Friday morning has boosted the squad’s confidence in its next journey.
Joining and winning games in a pre-qualifying tournament in October will be the team’s next target in its effort to eventually make it to the 25th Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina in February, 2026.
“In terms of our chances, I strongly believe that we will be victorious in the pre-Olympic qualifiers,” said Benjo Delarmente, Curling Pilipinas president, a day after he and the Philippine team arrived in Manila on Sunday at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay City.
The Filipino squad of Marc Pfister, Enrico Pfister, Alan Frei, Christian Haller and Benjo Delarmente talked about their next goals, days after they beat South Korea, 5-3, in men’s curling’s gold medal play.
All the countries in Europe and those which did not initially make qualification in the Winter Olympics are expected to be around.
The top two squads will make the tournament proper of the Olympic qualifiers by December.
“It’s really amazing. And, wow,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who was with the team during its campaign in Harbin.
Before the contingent leaves on Tuesday, the team will meet with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos on Monday.
Incentives reaching P2 million is also expected to be awarded to the squad, which is made up mostly of Swiss-born players.
Coached by Miguel Gutierrez and Jessica Pfister, members of the team got a warm welcome upon arrival in Manila from Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann, commissioner Olivia ‘Bong’ Coo and executive director Paulo Francisco Tatad.
The historic victory by the Philippines in the sport comes three years the Philippines was given recognition by the World Curling.
