"Training Harder, Pushing Limits": Here's how Team Philippines prepared for Physical: Asia

From early-morning gym sessions to strategic team huddles, Team Philippines came into Physical: Asia well-prepared.

The six-member squad, initially led by boxing great Manny Pacquiao, hit the ground running ahead of the Netflix competition, sparking attention for their rigorous preparation.

Physical: Asia — Gearing Up: Team Philippines’ prep routine

As one of eight national teams competing on Physical: Asia, Team Philippines assembled an eclectic mix of elite athletes: Manny Pacquiao (boxing legend), sambo gold-medalist Mark Mugen, strongman champion Ray Jefferson Querubin, rugby national team player Justin Coveney, hurdler Robyn Lauren Brown, and CrossFit standout Lara Lorraine Deang Liwanag.

According to Netflix’s cast list and industry coverage, all six joined the roster for Physical: Asia.

Before any sands shifted or walls fell on the Physical: Asia arenas, Team Philippines lay in solid discipline.

Robyn Lauren Brown shared a clip on Instagram: 

“It’s 6 a.m., we’re headed to the gym,” she said. 

In that video, Brown and Querubin were captured lifting weights; another training montage showed Mugen teaching his teammates how to escape from a rear bear hug — a grappling movement unlikely to appear in many reality competitions, yet quite practical for the kinds of elimination quests on Physical: Asia.

Querubin summed up the prep ethos in a post,

“Training harder, pushing limits, and sharpening every skill. This isn’t just about strength—it's about endurance, discipline, and heart.”

That statement captures both the mindset and the physical focus that underpinned Team Philippines’ early work for Physical: Asia.

In addition to the physical grind, the squad held team meetings — strategy sessions that underscored the difference between Physical: Asia and more traditional individual-based competitions.

Justin Coveney captioned a photo of the group seated around a table: 

“When the People's Champ speaks, you listen. Team Philippines is ready to make history on Physical: Asia! Who’s with us?”

This layered approach — combination of raw power training and tactical alignment — appears to have been tailored to the format of Physical: Asia, where teams of six from eight nations battle in multi-round "quests" featuring terrain challenges, endurance trials, and elimination-style match-ups.

The first challenge of Physical: Asia, labeled “Territorial Conquest”, was set on sand dunes and required teams to capture raised platforms on shifting terrain.

Team Philippines’ training for such a challenge — early morning gym, strength work, bear-hug drill — shows foresight.

Brown’s gym clip, Querubin’s caption, and Mugen’s training tutorial all signal that the team anticipated a complex, physical battle rather than simply a straightforward obstacle race.

Manny Pacquiao, meanwhile, declared pride in the team ahead of Physical: Asia.

In an interview, the boxer said he was proud of the “complete” team assembled for the Philippines.

That comment came ahead of filming, underscoring that the country’s entry into Physical: Asia was meant to be taken seriously.

However, Pacquiao exited Physical: Asia early in production and was replaced by Filipino athlete Justin Hernandez.

Following the change, national rugby player Justin Coveney was appointed as the new leader of Team Philippines, guiding the group through the remaining challenges of the Netflix competition.

Clearly, Team Philippines’ approach to Physical: Asia was built on structure: elite athletes, disciplined training, strategic preparation.

It wasn’t a last-minute lineup thrown together; instead, the group demonstrated off-screen cohesion and readiness.

That foundation might prove decisive as Physical: Asia advances through its episodes of grueling competition and national stakes.

Stay tuned for more updates.