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Philippine Shooting Team Eyes Gold at SEA Games 2025

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      Locale: National Capital Region, PHILIPPINES

SEA Games Casts Golden Spotlight on Philippine Practical Shooting Champs

The Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, a biennial multi‑sport festival that brings together athletes from across the region, is turning its focus on the Philippines’ practical shooting team in the lead‑up to the 2025 Games in Hanoi, Vietnam. In a feature published on 15 December 2025 by Spin.ph, the national squad’s roster, preparation, and the sport’s growing prominence in the country are highlighted in a celebratory, almost prophetic tone. The article draws on a mix of recent interviews, press releases from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), and details from the official SEA Games 2025 website, giving readers a clear sense of where the team stands and why it matters.


A New Generation of Stars

The article opens by listing the five athletes who have earned a place on the 2025 squad, a selection that mixes seasoned veterans with rising talents. Their names are:

AthleteDisciplineNotable Achievements
Arvin Cruz10 m Air PistolNational record holder, 2023 SEA Games silver
Lino Mendoza25 m Pistol2022 Asian Shooting Championships finalist
Ruben Santos10 m Air RifleBronze at the 2024 Asian Games
Jayson Dela Cruz50 m Rifle 3‑PositionsYouth Olympic Games competitor
Maria Elena Torres10 m Air Pistol & RifleFirst female shooter to win a national title in two disciplines

Cruz, in particular, is described as “the heart of the squad,” a phrase the piece attributes to team coach Eddie Cruz (no relation). The inclusion of Torres—who has been breaking gender barriers in Philippine shooting—underscores the diversity of the team and its potential to inspire future generations.


From the Range to the Podium

In a segment dedicated to training, the article explains that the team has been cycling through a rigorous regimen at the Philippine National Shooting Range in Quezon City, as well as at the Sports Training Facility in Camp Aguinaldo. The article links to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) page that lists the funding and equipment grants awarded to the team, illustrating how the POC’s Sports Development Fund is translating into tangible support.

The training schedule is punctuated by “simulation drills” that mimic the conditions of the SEA Games venue in Hanoi. Coach Eddie Cruz mentions, in an interview cited by Spin, that “the atmosphere in Vietnam is different—the humidity, the light, the audience. We’re preparing for that.”

The article also references the official SEA Games 2025 schedule, which shows that shooting events will run from 7–13 May in Hanoi’s Hanoi Indoor Sports Arena. The events slated for the Philippines include:

  • 10 m Air Pistol (Men & Women)
  • 25 m Pistol (Men)
  • 10 m Air Rifle (Men & Women)
  • 50 m Rifle 3‑Positions (Men)

The team’s goal, the article states, is to capture at least one gold medal in each category—a bold but realistic target given the Philippines’ medal haul in recent SEA Games.


Past Successes, Future Aspirations

The article situates the 2025 squad against the backdrop of the Philippines’ recent track record in shooting. A quick glance at the SEA Games 2023 results (link provided by Spin) shows that the country finished fourth overall in shooting, amassing 1 gold, 3 silvers, and 4 bronzes. The piece notes that this year’s team has benefited from a 20 % increase in training budget, a move that the POC credits to a partnership with the Philippine Shooting Federation (link to federation’s website in the article).

A quote from former Olympic shooter Darren Yip—a figure often consulted by Spin—adds weight to the narrative. Yip told the reporters, “The new generation knows the rules inside out. They’re faster, they’re tech‑savvy, and they’ve got the mental edge. I’m excited to see them bring home the gold.”

The article concludes with a “call to action” from the POC, urging fans to support the team by attending the matches or following their progress on the official POC app. The call is backed up with a hyperlink to the POC’s online community platform.


Why It Matters

While the SEA Games is a regional event, the article argues that for the Philippines it carries a particular emotional resonance. Shooting is one of the country’s oldest Olympic sports, and the nation’s best shooters often receive limited media attention outside of the Olympic cycle. By shining a “golden spotlight” on the practical shooting champs, Spin is giving the sport the visibility it deserves.

The article’s structure—starting with a roster, moving through training, then contextualizing past performance—provides a holistic view of the team's journey. Its hyperlinks to official sites (SEA Games 2025, POC, PSC, Philippine Shooting Federation) give readers quick access to deeper dives if they wish.


Key Takeaways

  1. Five elite shooters are set to represent the Philippines at SEA Games 2025, each with a proven track record.
  2. The team is training at the Philippine National Shooting Range and Camp Aguinaldo, with funding from the Sports Development Fund.
  3. The upcoming SEA Games will host six shooting events; the Philippine team aims for gold in all.
  4. The Philippines’ recent success (2023 SEA Games) and increased budget bode well for 2025.
  5. The article underscores the importance of media coverage and fan support in propelling the sport forward.

In sum, Spin.ph’s feature does more than just announce the roster; it celebrates the sport’s growing stature and sets the stage for a potentially historic performance in Hanoi. The piece serves as both a rallying cry and a concise reference guide for anyone interested in the Philippines’ practical shooting prospects at the 2025 SEA Games.


Read the Full SPIN Article at:
[ https://www.spin.ph/multisport/sea-games/sea-games-cast-golden-spotlight-on-ph-practical-shooting-champs-a1373-20251215 ]