WE GOT NEXT: 20 & Under

Across the track, football pitch, tennis court and swimming pool, a new wave of Filipino athletes is already making its presence felt. Some have earned national-team call-ups and international podium finishes, while others are making their mark in school and collegiate competitions, laying the groundwork for what comes next.

For this feature, ALL-STAR brings together 14 Filipino athletes aged 20 and below whose achievements, competitive experience and ambitions offer a glimpse of where Philippine sports could be headed. Coming from different disciplines and stages of their careers, each has a story that extends beyond a medal, a title or a personal best.

This isn’t a ranking or a prediction of who will become the next superstar. It’s a look at the young athletes putting in the work now: what they’ve accomplished, what drives them and what they’re chasing next.

The names are worth knowing. The stories are still unfolding.

Get to know the names shaping the future of Philippine sports, one story at a time. 

MARIA DANIELLE S. TANJANGCO

19 | Football | De La Salle University / Kaya FC–Iloilo

A goalscorer’s résumé, with another ambition still waiting.

Maria Danielle S. Tanjangco, known as Dani, has already earned some of the most recognizable individual honors in the UAAP.

Her achievements include Best Striker, the Golden Boot and Rookie of the Year, alongside two Philippines Football League championships. Representing DLSU and Kaya FC–Iloilo, she has built a résumé that reflects her experience in both collegiate and club football.

The sport is also part of her family story. Both of her parents played football for DLSU, and her mother also won Rookie of the Year.

Tanjangco has yet to represent the Philippines at the national-team level, but that remains an ambition she’s working toward as she continues to develop her game.

For now, the focus is on improving, enjoying football and becoming a better player and person along the way.

WHAT’S NEXT: Earn the opportunity to represent the Philippines and keep growing through the game.

GAVIN GOMEZ KRAUT

17 | Tennis | Colegio San Agustin–Makati Tennis Varsity

The junior circuit is just one part of the plan.

Gavin Gomez Kraut has steadily built his profile on the Philippine junior tennis circuit, combining national rankings with consistent tournament appearances.

According to his submitted profile, he was ranked No. 9 in the Philippines in the 18-and-under category in January 2026, with an ITF junior ranking of No. 3,698. He’s also been the No. 1 varsity player at Colegio San Agustin–Makati since 2021.

His tournament résumé includes finalist finishes at several Palawan Pawnshop, Milo/PHILTA, Cebuana and other junior events. He also claimed titles at the USTA Azusa Level 6 tournament in 2024 and the Palawan Pawnshop Juniors event in Cainta that same year.

Kraut previously represented the Philippine national team in the 8-and-under category and trained at IN Tennis Academy in California during the summers of 2023 and 2024.

Away from tennis, he has a fun fact that predates his competitive résumé: he appeared in commercials as a kid.

WHAT’S NEXT: Win a UAAP tennis championship.

IVAN FORTUNO CABANDA

18 | Athletics | UST / España Run Club

A record-breaking résumé, with the Olympics in sight.

Ivan Fortuno Cabanda has already built an impressive collection of achievements in youth athletics. His submitted profile lists him as a record holder at the SEA Youth Championship, in national junior and U18 competition, at the UAAP, and at both Palarong Pambansa and Batang Pinoy.

He was also named UAAP Season 87 Rookie of the Year, adding another distinction to a career that has brought him success across multiple levels of competition.

At 18, Cabanda has already accumulated the kind of credentials that give a young athlete something to build on. But rather than treating those achievements as a finish line, he’s looking toward the biggest stage in sports.

His ambition is to become an Olympian and represent the Philippines against the world’s best.

WHAT’S NEXT: Become an Olympian and represent the Philippines on the biggest stage in sports.

ALANNIS SOPHIA MELARNIE FERNANDEZ HODGE

18 | Football | UST Women’s Football Team

An international debut at 13. A bigger dream ahead.

Alannis Sophia Melarnie Fernandez Hodge’s football journey began on an international stage early. At just 13, she was selected to represent the Anguilla Women’s National Football Team in CONCACAF competitions.

Since then, she’s collected multiple MVP, Best Striker and Top Goal Scorer awards while competing in events including Palarong Pambansa, Batang Pinoy and the National Filipina 5 Futsal Fiesta. She now plays for the UST Women’s Football Team in the UAAP.

Football is only one part of Hodge’s story. She’s also excelled academically, graduating from primary school as valedictorian and finishing high school with High Honors. In pageantry, she has won several titles, including Mutya Ti Sual 2024, Ms. SDO1 Pangasinan 2025 and Miss Career Advocate 2026.

Those experiences, she says, have helped develop her confidence, leadership and public-speaking skills.

Her next ambition is deeply personal: to earn a place on the Philippine Women’s National Football Team. She also hopes to make football more accessible in the Philippines and encourage young Filipinos to pursue their passions.

WHAT’S NEXT: Represent the Philippines in women’s football and help inspire the next generation.

JOHN CLINTON MITCHEL ABETONG

18 | Athletics | University of the Philippines / UP Track and Field Team

Fast on the track. Ambitious beyond it.

John Clinton Mitchel Abetong has built his athletics résumé across the 100m, 200m and 400m, while also finding success in relay events.

His achievements include gold medals at Palarong Pambansa, Batang Pinoy and RAAM, along with podium finishes at the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships and the Yogyakarta Indonesia Open U18 Championship. His results span individual sprint events and the 4x100m and 4x400m relays.

But Abetong isn’t thinking only about what happens on the track. He’s also building CLINTSPEEDY, his own business, with ambitions of turning it into a recognized brand in the country.

The goals are big: become a regular member of the Philippine National Team, win UAAP gold and break a national record.

And then there’s his less conventional talent. Abetong says he can eat 10 bars of chocolate in one hour.

WHAT’S NEXT: Establish himself on the national team, win UAAP gold, break a national record and grow CLINTSPEEDY.

JOSHUA GABRIEL P. MOLEJE

17 | Football | UST / Makati Football Club

The next step is already on his mind.

Joshua Gabriel P. Moleje has already experienced success at the UAAP level, earning Best Midfielder honors and a championship in Season 87.

His development has also taken him to the international stage, having represented the Philippines U17 National Team from 2024 to 2026. With UST and Makati Football Club, he’s continuing to build his game while working toward the next stage of his career.

Moleje describes himself as someone who enjoys trying new things, even when he has no idea what he’s doing. It’s a lighthearted detail from a player whose ambitions on the pitch are considerably more focused.

At 17, he already knows what he wants to work toward next.

WHAT’S NEXT: Reach the Philippine Men’s National Team as early as possible.

JACOB RAY KELEGHAN

19 | Football | University of the Philippines / UP Men’s Football Team

A champion’s mentality, with the professional game in sight.

Jacob Ray Keleghan has experienced both the highs of winning a championship and the lessons that come with falling just short.

He was named UAAP Season 86 Rookie of the Year before helping UP claim the championship that same season. After a silver-medal finish in Season 87, he returned to the top with another title in Season 88.

His youth résumé also includes a Palarong Pambansa championship and a silver-medal finish. Internationally, he has represented the Philippines U19 National Team at the AFF U19 Championship.

Born and raised in Taiwan, Keleghan has continued his football journey with UP, adding collegiate experience to his development as a player.

The next chapter is about taking those experiences beyond the UAAP and moving closer to the career he’s working toward.

WHAT’S NEXT: Gain more exposure and experience as he works toward playing professionally.

SEP BLESSEE B. PLACIDO

19 | Race Walking | Philippine National Team / DLSU Tracksters

One step at a time. One record at a time.

Sep Blessee B. Placido is making his mark in a discipline where every step counts.

A national record holder in the 5,000m, 20km and 21km race walk, Placido has established an impressive résumé in Philippine athletics. He’s a four-time Philippine national champion, a three-time Palarong Pambansa gold medalist and a four-time UAAP Junior gold medalist, with a UAAP Junior record to his name.

His experience extends beyond domestic competition. Placido has represented the Philippines at the SEA Games, Asian U20 Athletics Championships and Asian Half Marathon Race Walking Championships.

For Placido, the ambition goes beyond adding another medal to the collection. He wants to raise the standard for Philippine race walking and compete for gold at the 2027 SEA Games.

It’s a goal rooted in something bigger than personal achievement: representing the country and the people who support him.

WHAT’S NEXT: Chase SEA Games gold in 2027 and continue raising the standard for Philippine race walking.

“One step at a time. One experience at a time. Para sa Bayan.”

RIANNAH CHANTELLE VILLANUEVA COLEMAN

17 | Swimming | National Academy of Sports / Dax Swim Club

A global stage is already part of the journey.

For Riannah Chantelle Villanueva Coleman, international competition is already part of her story.

The young swimmer has earned multiple gold medals and set records at Palarong Pambansa. She also won bronze at the ASEAN Schools Games in Brunei Darussalam and represented the Philippines at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain and the Youth Olympics in Dakar, Senegal.

Her junior national-team experience spans 2022 and 2024 through 2026, giving her several years of experience competing under the Philippine flag.

Outside the pool, Coleman has interests that stretch well beyond swimming. She enjoys wakeboarding, golf and triathlon, loves sinigang, and describes herself as competitive, confident and an animal lover.

But when it comes to her sporting ambitions, the next target is clear.

WHAT’S NEXT: Break national records and qualify for the Olympics.

JERICO OBSANGA CADAG

18 | Athletics | National University / Team España

From the javelin to the steeplechase.

Jerico Obsanga Cadag’s athletics journey has taken an unexpected turn. Once a javelin thrower, he has transformed himself into a promising distance runner, collecting medals across the 1,500m, 3,000m steeplechase and 5,000m.

His résumé includes multiple gold medals at the 2024 Palarong Pambansa and the Indonesia U18 Athletics Open. In 2026, he claimed bronze in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong before adding another gold in the event at the Korea Middle and High School Athletics Competition.

He also earned the Boys’ MVP award at UAAP Season 88 Athletics, where he took gold in both the 3,000m steeplechase and 5,000m.

For Cadag, the work extends beyond the track. He’s determined to finish his studies while continuing to pursue his ambitions as an athlete.

WHAT’S NEXT: Balance education and athletics while building a successful future.

DANIA T. BULANADI

16 | Tennis | La Salle Green Hills Girls Tennis Team

Seven years of gymnastics. A new chapter on the court.

Dania T. Bulanadi’s sporting journey began in a different arena. Before focusing on tennis, she spent seven years as a competitive gymnast.

Now, at 16, she’s ranked No. 6 in the Philippines in the Girls’ 18-and-Under category, according to her submitted profile. She’s a two-time Batang Pinoy bronze medalist and has served as captain of the La Salle Green Hills Girls Tennis Team for five years, while also holding the school’s No. 1 female player ranking during that span.

Her résumé includes a semifinal finish at the 2026 Elite Eight playoffs, as well as qualification for the 2025 Elite Eight playoffs and Masters Top 8.

In 2026, she also became an official member of the Unified Tennis Philippines National Team, representing the Philippines in Penang and Perlis, Malaysia.

Bulanadi’s ambitions aren’t simply about winning the next match. She wants to make the most of every opportunity, continue growing and become someone her younger self would be proud of.

WHAT’S NEXT: Keep developing as a player, chase bigger opportunities and inspire others to dream big.

CLARISSE BRUMA LORESCO

20 | Volleyball | Far Eastern University / FEU Women’s Volleyball

Decorated on the court, grounded beyond it.

Clarisse Bruma Loresco has already collected individual honors in volleyball, including 1st Best Middle Blocker in the UAAP Season 85 high school division and at the 2024 Palarong Pambansa. She has also earned recognition as Rebisco’s 2nd Best Outside Spiker.

Her experience extends to the international stage, having represented the Philippines at the AVC Cup and SEA V. League in Thailand and Vietnam. Her submitted résumé includes an AVC Cup silver medal and two SEA V. League bronze medals.

For Loresco, being part of the national team was a dream come true. The experience gave her an opportunity to learn from veteran players, not just about volleyball, but also about discipline, character and what it means to grow as an athlete.

At 6’1″, she has the height for the game. But there’s a detail that might surprise people who see her on court: she describes herself as super shy.

Her ambitions extend beyond volleyball, too. Building a stable future for herself and her family remains just as important as continuing to compete.

WHAT’S NEXT: Build a future she can be proud of while continuing to grow through the sport she loves.

ASHLEY JULLET F. WONG

20 | Swimming | De La Salle University / FTW Royals Swim Club

Finding her own rhythm, in and out of the pool.

Ashley Jullet F. Wong has competed across several levels of Philippine swimming, from Batang Pinoy and multiple Palarong Pambansa competitions to the UAAP and the ASEAN Schools Games.

Her submitted profile lists silver and bronze medals in UAAP swimming, as well as representing the Philippines at the 2024 ASEAN Schools Games in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Her competitive experience has helped shape her goals, but swimming isn’t the only thing that occupies her time. Wong enjoys sewing her own clothes and making flower arrangements — creative pursuits that offer a different outlet from the discipline of training and competition.

At 20, she’s focused on reaching her full potential, continuing to improve in the pool while making space for the things she loves outside it.

WHAT’S NEXT: Keep improving as a swimmer while growing as a person and pursuing her other interests.

KAILAH JADE OANI

20 | Basketball | Ateneo de Manila University / Ateneo Blue Eagles

From California to Katipunan, building her own path.

Kai Oani’s basketball journey began in California, where she attended St. Joseph High School in Santa Maria. During her senior season, she averaged 14.9 points and 3.3 assists per game, establishing herself as a promising guard before making the move to Ateneo.

Her experience also extends to the international stage. Oani represented the Philippines in the FIBA U16 Women’s Asian Championship Division B in 2022, gaining valuable experience in the national youth program.

Now a guard and co-captain of Ateneo’s women’s basketball team, she has taken on a bigger role with the Blue Eagles. Her journey between the United States and the Philippines has given her experience in different basketball environments as she continues to develop at the collegiate level.

At 20, Oani is still building her story, balancing the demands of UAAP competition with the responsibility of helping lead her team.

WHAT’S NEXT: Continue growing as a leader, help Ateneo compete at the highest level, and keep pushing toward the next chapter of her basketball career.

Their stories are far from over. Some are chasing their next title, others their first big breakthrough, but all have dreams worth rooting for.

For now, we watch them grind, push their limits, and give everything they have to reach those goals. And maybe someday, we’ll look back at these pages and remember where it all began — before the records, the milestones, and the moments that defined their careers.

Because beyond their personal ambitions lies a dream many Filipinos share: to represent our country, make our people proud, and show the world what we can do.

This is only the beginning. But one thing is certain: They are Next. 

Location: Conquest Media Studios

Publisher: James Leonard Cruz • Creative Director: Juan Marco Matriano • Art Director: Karlota Tuazon • Photographer: Vyn Radovan & Zai Ventura• Videographer: Michael Ramos • Writer: Juan Marco Matriano • Social Media: Jean-Claude Arnobit & Chinyere Cabas • Hair and Makeup: Team Muriel Vega Perez • Special Thanks to: Banh Mi Kitchen