The Go For Gold squad has finally been hailed as the 2026 Tour of Thailand’s Best ASEAN Team—beating the Thais in their own backyard. This victory dislodged over half a decade of absolute Thai supremacy since 2019. It is a rare, historic run—a feat not achieved by any Filipino team in nearly two decades.
The Team has been knocking on the door of this prestigious title since achieving the 3rd- and 2nd-Best ASEAN Team results in 2022 and 2024. It shows the wide evolution and changing of the guard from mere contenders to champions collectively.
Meanwhile, Go For Gold top-performing rider Marvin Mojado Mandac secured a podium finish as 3rd overall Best ASEAN Rider—outmaneuvering Thailand’s Olympian Thanakhan Chaiyasombat.
The Balayan, Batangas stalwart, Mandac, also clinched a solid 18th place in the General Classification.
By capturing the Best ASEAN Team title and seeing Marvin Mandac secure a podium spot in the individual ASEAN rankings, the squad has proved they can outpace the finest professional teams in Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile, local Continental rival 7-Eleven followed in 6th place among the Best ASEAN squads.
Historical context: This is the finest Philippine performance in nearly two decades. It is the best finish since 2007, when the National Team—anchored by Irish Valenzuela, Lloyd Lucien Reynante, Victor Espiritu, and Warren Davadilla—clinched the Overall Team Championship in the UCI 2.2 Tour of Thailand, finishing ahead of powerhouses like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The historic squad was under the tactical guidance of Head Coach Jomel Lorenzo, with veteran support from assistants Renato Dolosa and Dindo Quirimit.
Related Video
www.dwaentertainment.com 
Leave a comment