Leo Mhar Lobrido in action for the Philippines in the boxing competition of the 3rd Asian Youth Games, October 24, 2025 in Bahrain. POC Media
Leo Mhar Lobrido, one of the country's flag-bearers, led the way for Filipino boxers during the opening day of competition at the Asian Youth Games at Exhibition World Bahrain in Sakhir.
The 16-year-old Lobrido, who fights in the flyweight division, dominated Salte Alhadidi of Jordan, 5-0, on Friday.
Nephew of Olympians Isidro and Virgilio Vicera, Lobrido marches on to the quarterfinals against Sri Lankan Binul Dulnada Dewasiri Narayana, who also scored a 5-0 victory over Chinese Taipei's Chung-wei Hsu.
Shairylle Pores, also 16, advanced in the girls' light flyweight, scoring a split decision victory over Uzbekistan's Bukhshonabonu Ahaduva, 3-2.
The Philippine boxing team, however, saw one of its fighters fall by the wayside early, as Ermalie Caballero got edged out by Xinying Cui of China, 3-2, in the girls' flyweight class (50kg).
READ: Young weightlifters look to add to Team PH's medal haul
-- Jins falter --
Meanwhile, four Filipino jins fell short in taekwondo competitions also at Exhibition World Bahrain, with Juan Victorio Yamat and Felicity Jana Castel dropping their quarterfinal matches against Kazakh fighters.
Raphael Valentin Gaupo and Mary Heart Capulong could not get past the Round of 16.
Bunyad Bakhramkulov defeated the 15-year-old Yamat, 2-1, in the boys' -48kg class, while Aiym Serikbayeva also of Kazakhstan Castel got dominated in the girls' -44 kg.
Gaupo could not overcome Taijikistan's +73 kg against Dzhonibek Nigmatov, while Capulong bowed to Jordan's Lama Albqowr in the in the girls' +63 kg opposite.
That left six Filipinos to carry the fight for the country in the last two days of taekwondo competitions.
Still to see action are Rhiyanne Agatha Cadilena (girls -49kg), Lhord Jared Patrick Pasaron (boys -73kg), Princess Sarah Grace Pascual (girls -55kg), Matt Rejhan Lavestre (boys -55kg), Chuck Aeron Alariao (boys -63kg), and EJ Gaa (girls -63kg).
-- Uphill battle in golf --
Young Filipino golfers are also facing a steep uphill battle on a desert-framed course in the final round of the golf competition at Royal Golf Club in Riffa.
David Serdenia was at two-over 146 after rounds of 72-74, a daunting 11 strokes off the pace as China's Jin Han entered the final round on Saturday on top at nine-under following rounds of 67-68 in benign conditions at the Colin Montgomerie-designed layout.
Patrick Tambalque was five strokes further back at seven-over with rounds of 75-76, while Tristan Padilla stood at eight-over after going 78-74.
China's Menghan Li leads the girls' competition at -12 after impressive rounds of 65-67 on the lush green fairways contrasted by a desert background.
Eliana Saga of the Philippines was tied for 11th at four-under 140, eight strokes behind, after consecutive 70s.
Crista Minoza was one-over after shooting 72-73, while Precious Zaragosa stood at 12-over 156.