Games Wednesday (New Clark City Aquatic Center, Tarlac)
10 a.m. – Philippines vs Singapore (Women’s)
5 p.m. – Thailand vs Indonesia (Men’s)
7 p.m. – Malaysia vs Singapore (Men’s)
After earning a bye on the first day of action, the Philippine women’s water polo team opens its gold medal bid against Singapore Wednesday at the New Clark City Aquatic Center in Tarlac.
The national team hopes to make good use of a two-month training camp in the United States prior to the biennial meet where the women’s team is returning after missing the previous SEA Games.
“We really had a good training camp in the US, we improved on a lot of things” said national team coach Sherwin dela Paz.
“It helped members of the national team develop their individual skills, and more importantly improve on team chemistry. Now we’re very excited knowing we have a shot at winning the gold medal.”
The game pitting the Philippines and Singapore is set at 10 a.m.
The members of the national team are Fil-Ams Haden Skye Alysabeth and Kieran Scout Noelle Echavarria-Bates of University of Redlands, Cypress College’s Alfonso Fonacier, Nadia Mañosa Paquin of Pomona College, Monica Estelle Madlansacay Chernoff and Santa Clara’s Gabriella Sicat, sister of Vince Sicat of the men’s team.
The holdovers from the 2015 team are Krystal dela Cruz, Carla Beatriz Grabador, Christine Hipol and Jobelyn Ocampo.
Only three teams are participating in the women’s water polo in the SEA Games.
The national team hopes to win against Singapore to set the stage up for the championship game against Thailand, which won the gold medal two years ago in Kuala Lumpur.
The game between the Philippines and Thailand is on Thursday.
“We’re confident that we have a good chance of winning against Singapore. If we win, that sets us up against Thailand for the gold medal,” said Dela Paz.
Thailand dominated Singapore 19-4.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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