The Philippines participated at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia from 18 August to 2 September 2018. The country won 21 medals (4 gold, 2 silver, and 15 bronze) to finish 19th overall in the medal tally of the games; an improvement from 22nd place placement of the country in the previous 2014 edition. However this came short of the 15th place target set by officials who deemed the actual placement as acceptable. Two of the Philippines' gold medal came from golf, while the other two came from weightlifting and skateboarding.
Background
Wushu Federation of the Philippines President Julian Camacho is the chef de mission for the Philippines' stint at the 2018 Asian Games. The Philippine Olympic Committee approved a proposal from Camacho that only gold and silver medalists at the 2017 Southeast Asian Games and medalist of any color from the previous edition of the continental competition would compete in the 2018 Asian Games. Camacho justifying the move stated that he wanted to make sure every athlete can contend for a medal but remained open in including bronze medalists and other athletes to the delegation who can prove their worth by "figuring prominently in Asian-level tournaments" until the deadline of the submission of lineups.
The Philippines plans to send around 200 athletes and it is expected the athletes in contact sports has the best chances of winning medals.
Camacho, who was appointed by the past POC President Peping Cojuangco, filed his courtesy resignation as Chef de Mission in February 2018, following the election of new POC President Ricky Vargas. He was replaced by Richard Gomez, President of the Philippine Fencing Association and then City Mayor of Ormoc, Leyte.
The Philippine Sports Commission on their part expressed willingness to provide around up to for the Philippines' participation in the games. The government agency has also stated that it is willing to financially support "young and potential athletes" who will compete in the games.
The POC has submitted the final list of competing entries by names. A total of 272 national athletes competing in 31 sports will be fielded in for the 2018 Asian Games. 63 officials will also form part of the delegation.
Large part of the delegation attended the send-off ceremony hosted at the Malacañang Palace by President Rodrigo Duterte on August 13, 2018. Basketball player Jordan Clarkson will serve as the flag bearer of the Philippine delegation at the opening ceremony of the games on August 18, 2018 while skateboarder Margielyn Didal will be the flag bearer for the country at the closing ceremony.
Medalists
The following Philippine competitors won medals at the Games.
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Multiple
Medal summary
Medals by sports
Medals by Date
Archery
Compound
Recurve
Athletics
Men's Track
Men's Field
Women's Track
Women's Field
Marathon
Decathlon
Basketball
The basketball association of the Philippines, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) had to come up with an agreement with the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), the top-tier league in the country so that the Philippines could participate in the men's basketball event of the Asian Games. The two organization had also to consider the national team's stint in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers.
The decided against forming a "PBA Selection" team since the PBA Board can't afford to suspend the league for a month and a half. They also considered sending a team of composed of Gilas Cadets or rookie national players along with Andray Blatche though they deemed such team as not competitive enough. They come to a consensus to send a national team largely composed of one PBA team; the TNT KaTropa to aid national team-related scheduling.
The Philippines reportedly will not field a women's team, also will not participate in 3x3, a discipline in basketball that will debut in the 2018 Games. The SBP planned to send a 3x3 team led by AJ Edu and Kobe Paras. They could not send the same squad that participated in the 2018 FIBA 3x3 World Cup since the 3x3 event is restricted to players aged 18 to 23 years old. The plan did not push through due to time constraints.