SANYA, China—It’s a sunny day for Team Philippines early in its drive in the 6th Asian Beach Games Tuesday with Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino branding the delegation as a fighting team.

“We have a fighting team of 101 athletes here in Sanya and the goal is to make our mark by winning as many medals as possible,” said Tolentino.

But there are two goals in this Sanya campaign, according to Tolentino, with 2028 in mind.

“These games also serve as a benchmark for us, particularly Cebu, when we host in 2028,” he said. “This will be a jumping board for our athletes and for the country to emerge as the best host ever.”

Chef de mission Donaldo “Don” Caringal, on the other hand, described the mood of the Filipino athletes as “bright and sunny” a day before the expected glamorous opening ceremonies Wednesday.

“It’s a good sign. We won our first game and now we’re looking at also the other venues here—beach volleyball and sports climbing. It’s a good day for Team Philippines,” Caringal said.

The men’s handball team clobbered Hong Kong, 20-18, 28-16, to kick off its campaign on Tuesday.

“In terms of performance we can’t say, but of course, we’re always hoping for the best especially for our mixed martial arts bets and of course our handball teams, they’re good,” Caringal added.

Two-time jujitsu world champion Annie Ramirez will be the flagbearer alongside Yman Xavier Baluyo during the parade of athletes at the Tianya Haijiao Ring Theater at the Yasha Park Phase 1.

Team Philippines’ participation in the games is backed by the Philippine Sports Commission headed by John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio,.

“Our preparation led by POC and of course our President Bambol Tolentino made sure that we have very good contingent here,” Caringal said. “It’s a big boost for our athletes. In fact, the ABG was postponed for a long time. It just so happened that the OCA decided to push through with it again.

“It’s good because it will continue for the next edition. We’re lucky we’re able to get the hosting job.”

Besides Ramirez, the Pinoy bets are also set to do battle in 3×3 basketball, open water swimming and water polo, aquathlon, beach athletics, beach handball, beach kabaddi, beach soccer, beach volleyball, beach wrestling, dragon boat, sailing, sport climbing and teqball.

Also among the medal prospects are another jujitsu standout, Kaila Napolis, and the women’s beach volleyball side of Thailand Southeast Asian Games gold winner Sunny Villapando who will link up this time with Sofiah Pagara, Khyle Progella and Grydelle Matibag.

The basketball 3×3 quartets and triathlon’s Raven Alcoseba and Erika Burgos in the women’s side and the men’s trio of Andrew Remolino, Inaki Lorbes and Matthew Hermosa are out to prove they’re no pushovers.

The Philippines have so far won five gold, 10 silver and 35 bronze medals in the ABG that opened shop in 2008 in Bali, followed by the 2010 battle in Oman, 2012 in Haiyang (China) and 2014 in Phuket.