By Waylon Galvez
The national team earned a 6-6 draw on Indonesia after the Filipinos showed resiliency at the start of water polo action in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games Tuesday night at the New Clark City Aquatic Center in Tarlac.
Philippine men’s water polo team mentor Rey Galang, middle, gives instructions to the players a day before the game against Indonesia in the 30th Southeast Asian Games. (Dale Evangelista)
Paolo Serrano provided the tying goal with a penalty shot in the final moments, which leveled the score at 6-all. As a result, it gave the Filipinos and Indonesians one point each.
“It’s a good start for the national team,” said Dale Evangelista, a former athlete turned coach who is now part of the staff of Reynaldo Galang. “Now, whoever beats Singapore wins the gold.”
Evangelista is referring to the game pitting Indonesia and Singapore first Wednesday, before the Philippines takes on the reigning 27-time water polo gold medalist on Thursday.
The national team fell behind late in the second period when Indonesia, silver medalist in the last SEA Games, took a 4-2 lead. However, the Filipinos trimmed the deficit to 4-3 going to halftime break.
In the third frame, Indonesia grabbed a 5-4 advantage, before the Philippines – hoping for a podium finish for the first time in four SEA Games editions – tied the count again at 5-5.
That set the stage for a thrilling fourth period.
The last time Indonesia had the lead was at 6-5, before Serrano, who was fouled while trying to score near the goal, came through with his endgame heroics for the Philippines.
Veteran goalie Tani Gomez also had big defensive stops, and the biggest of which was when he swatted an attempt by an Indonesian just a few meters from the goal in the final minute of the game.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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