REVIEW: PHYSICAL ASIA | THE FIRST FOUR EPISODES

FROM IB TIMES UK

Mark Mugen Striegl. 

I mean… wow.

I’ve seen him compete in combat sports before, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he gets called back once Physical: 100 returns to its original individual setup.

Justin Coveney has always been the team’s vocal leader, and while it was nice seeing Manny Pacquiao join them, I actually think the team became more balanced after he left. Honestly, Pacquiao is just too fragile for Physical: Asia. Don’t get me wrong — I admire his fighting spirit, and his presence alone brought a sense of awe. Even battle-tested competitors turned into fanboys the moment they saw him, much like Yoshihiro Akiyama in Season 1 or Kim Dong Hyun in Season 2.

Pacquiao did hold his own, especially during the shipwreck challenge. But the Philippines ran into a strategic nightmare when they overestimated Ray Querubin’s ability to power through all the variables beyond lifting those insanely heavy crates. Pacquiao, on the other hand, simply has too much going on. 2025 is shaping up to be a hectic year for him — between his boxing comeback and political ambitions, he’s already stretched thin.

Yes, he fought Mario Barrios to a draw, and yes, he could’ve won had he focused more on training. But between boxing, campaigning, and now this show? You can imagine Freddie Roach losing his mind watching Pacman drag sandbags, wrestle people off platforms, and get buried in an actual pool of dirt. He’s pushing 50, going up against fighters a decade or more younger, and he no longer has the knockout power or speed advantage to dominate physically.

And let’s be honest — Pacquiao’s moral compass probably prevents him from going all-out against women in mixed challenges. The show may not care about gender distinctions, but I doubt he’d go against his beliefs just for a contest. That’s why Justin Hernandez felt like a much better fit. As a CrossFit athlete, he embodies the all-around strength and endurance needed to thrive in Physical: Asia.

The only question is — did his replacement come too late?

Team Philippines’ run so far has been a bit underwhelming. The “Jeepney Blitz” in the first challenge was clever, but it was a one-hit wonder that lost its shine once the stronger teams advanced. Lara Liwanag went clutch in the elimination challenge, but I still think Robyn Brown should’ve started in the hurdle race — that’s literally her event. And the shipwreck challenge? A total mess. Still, the right combination of players eventually brought the team back from the brink of elimination.

Looking ahead, Episode 5 seems like it’ll follow the same structure as Episode 4, with the next three teams competing for the coveted spots. But who knows what the producers are planning? The original Physical: 100 had its fair share of twists — dissolving teams and forcing former allies to face off one-on-one. I doubt they’ll pull that move here, but I’m secretly hoping for a wildcard scenario where a merged group of eliminated players re-enters the game and throws everything into chaos.

Then again… maybe letting an “Asia All-Star” team dominate wouldn’t be the best look either.

What do you think?