The Philippines will field a stronger team when women’s gymnastics makes a comeback in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand.
Paris Olympics veterans Aleah Finnegan and Emma Malabuyo have expressed their interest in being part of the national squad that will be assembled for the biennial meet.
“I’m confident and excited to be there,” said the 21-year-old Finnegan in an interview with the Manila Standard.
Finnegan, who is on her final year with Louisiana State University, last competed for the Philippines when she was 17 years old during the 2021 SEA Games in Hanoi.
She won golds in the team all-around, and in the vault and a bronze medal in the balance beam.
Women’s gymnastics was excluded in the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games, and will be reintroduced in next year in Bangkok.
As for Malabuyo, who is studying at the University of California-Los Angeles, it will be her first time in the SEA Games.
“Aleah has already experienced competing in the SEA Games and had a wonderful time. So I want to do it as well,” said Malabuyo.
Another Fil-Am Levi Jung Ruivivar, who also competed in the Paris Games, is also expected to be around.
Finnegan, whose family in the Philippines is from Caloocan, was at 47th place at the all-around event at the Paris meet, with Malabuyo in 41st, and Levi Jung-Ruivivar in 40th.
She was a five-time member of the U.S. National Team (2016–19, 2021) and an alternate for the 2020 Olympic team.
At the 2023 World Championships, Finnegan bagged the bronze on both vault and balance beam and finished fourth in the floor exercise.
