Carlos Alvarez secured another medal for Team Philippines after advancing to the semifinals of the men’s MMA Traditional -77kg division at the 2026 Asian Games with a knockout win over Indonesia’s Ananda Wahyu Setyo.
Alvarez weathered a closely fought opening round before turning up the pressure in the second, eventually finding the finish to book his spot in the medal rounds.
“No’ng first round kasi medyo parang ganunan lang kami sa points eh. Medyo parang dikit. Tabla oh. Kaya no’ng second round sabi ko kailangan kong tapusin ’to para manalo,” he said.
The victory guaranteed Alvarez at least a bronze medal, easing some of the pressure surrounding his Asian Games debut. Still, the Filipino fighter made it clear that settling for a podium finish is not the objective.
“At least nabawasan nang konti ’yong pressure kasi malaki ang pressure dito. At least ngayon, may medal na tayong siguradong maiuuwi, at ang goal namin talaga dito sa MMA is makuha ang gold medal,” he said.
Alvarez also credited fellow Filipino Jean Claude Saclag for providing additional inspiration.
Saclag earlier clinched a bronze medal and moved into the semifinals, giving the Philippines an early breakthrough in the MMA competition.
“Oo, na-inspire din ako kay Jean kasi siya ’yong unang lumaban and siya din ’yong unang nanalo sa ’min. Sabi ko sa sarili ko ’di puwedeng matalo ko dito,” he said.
While Alvarez moved on, Gina Araos saw her campaign come to an end in the women’s Modern -54kg quarterfinals after Thai opponent Kanjutha Pattaraboonsorn secured a submission victory.
Alvarez will have little time to celebrate his win, with his semifinal assignment against Kazakhstan’s Yerkingali Burkutalin scheduled for Monday at 9:40 a.m. Manila time.
With a spot in the gold medal match on the line, Alvarez plans to focus on recovery before returning to action.
“Rest lang kami mamaya nang mabuti at ayusin ang mga masasakit na parts ng katawan, tapos ’yon. Laban na ulit,” he said.
Carrying the Philippine flag has also served as an added source of motivation for Alvarez as he pursues a place in the final.
“Sobrang motivation ’yan kasi Pilipinas na ’yong ni-represent namin dito eh. Hindi na team lang namin sa Baguio or something. Pilipinas na siya talaga. Napakagandang motivation at inspirasyon sa aming mga lumalaban dito,” he said.
