Gambito snatches bronze at the 2025 PSPL Powerlifting Cup

Report by Chino Tangonan and Patricia De Jesus | layout by Nikka Gutierrez

Earl Jeanson Gambito from the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS), clinched bronze in the 2025 Dewfoam Perlas ng Silangan Powerlifting League (PSPL) Luzon Powerlifting Cup held last October 18 at St. Vincent’s Gymnasium, Baguio City.

Competing against 7 powerlifers under the U93 Junior category, the newbie of the Tarlac State University Powerlifting (TSUPL) finished with an International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) point of 67.62.

Despite nerves and obstacles regarding his weight management before the meet, Gambito pushed through the competition with just four weeks of preparation.

“Kinakabahan ako kasi sobra ako ng 1.5kgs three hours before weight-ins, but with proper guidance, gumana naman,” Earl said, adding that he kept his trust on his captain and coach, Ken Austria.

With initial plans on competing in the U83 category, he opted to join the U93 instead, reasoning, “late na ako nag-register… kaya nag-decide ako na sumali nalang in a heavier category,” noting that his performance might be greatly affected if he tried to quickly lose weight to fit into the U83 class.

The second-year Psychology student proudly completed the competition with a 220kg squat, 120kg bench press, and a 270kg deadlift, ultimately securing his spot on the podium.