By Waylon Galvez
Games Friday (New Clark City, Tarlac)
10 a.m. – Thailand vs Singapore (Women’s)
5 p.m. – Indonesia vs Malaysia (Men’s)
7 p.m. – Singapore vs Philippines (Men’s)
For the past two years, the Philippine men’s water polo team has made the necessary adjustments and acquired the needed training exposure and preparation for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
And the Filipinos opened with a draw against Indonesia.
The water polo men’s national team (Photo courtesy of Dale Evangelista)
Now comes the big game with Singapore, a match that has repercussions on the country’s bid of winning a first-ever gold medal in the biennial meet.
“Eto na iyung pinaghahandaan ng buong team the past two years,” said veteran goalie Tani Gomez. “Lahat naman ng team pinaghandaan natin, pero Singapore ang sukatan – manalo ka dito malamang gold medal na.”
Expect a packed arena of flag-waving supporters when the national team battles the defending 27-time gold medalist Singapore today at the New Clark City Aquatic Center in Tarlac.
The game is set at 7 p.m. after the 5 p.m. encounter pitting Indonesia and Malaysia – silver and bronze medalist, respectively, in the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.
The national team started its campaign with a 6-6 draw against Indonesia last Tuesday, which halved the two points.
Indonesia improved to three points following a 17-12 victory over Thailand last Wednesday. That same day, Singapore also opened its bid for title No. 28 with a 17-5 thrashing of Malaysia.
It was the second straight defeat for Malaysia after absorbing a stunning 19-5 setback to Thailand last Tuesday.
The national team was playing Thailand at press time.
“Maski na alam natin na ang attention is on Singapore, we still have to get the job done against Thailand, which is a very dangerous team,” said national team coach Rey Galang.
“So kumbaga, yes we all know makakaharap natin ang Singapore, pero we take it one game at a time, we have to win first against Thailand before we set out sights on Singapore.” added Galang, who has former national team stalwart Dale Evangelista helping him in calling the shots.
The last time the country hosted the SEA Games in 2005, the national team nearly won against Singapore but it settled with e silver medal – the same finish the team had in 2007 and 2009.
Since then, the Nationals failed to win a medal. In the KL meet two years ago, the Philippines missed a podium finish after it placed fourth overall.
Meantime, the women’s national team absorbed its second straight defeat after the Filipinas suffered a 32-5 defeat to Thailand. The team opened its campaign with an 18-9 loss to Singapore.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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