SEA Games: Philippines, Singapore game ends in draw

 

By WAYLON GALVEZ

Games Sunday (New Clark City Aquatic Center, Tarlac)

5 p.m. – Singapore vs Thailand

7 p.m. – Philippines vs Malaysia

Ten years after its silver medal finish, the water polo national team is back at the podium.

In a game that had championship atmosphere, the Filipinos earned a 6-6 draw against powerhouse Singapore in the 30th Southeast Asia Games Friday night at the New Clark City Aquatic Center in Tarlac.

The national team improved to four points, a record of one win and two draws, following a similar 6-6 deadlock with Indonesia last Tuesday, through three matches in the five-nation tournament.

That assures the Filipinos of at least a bronze.

“Very happy with the result… we’re back at the podium,” said veteran mentor Reynaldo Galang, who jumped at the pool together with former national team star and now coach Dale Evangelista as they joined the players to celebrate the accomplishment.

“It’s mission accomplished for us in this SEA Games, the players gave everything they’ve got in this game. Of course, we’d love to capture the gold medal, but that’s what God has given us. We’re grateful.”

“We have to win against Malaysia to get the silver medal, and again, in front of Filipinos cheering the national team, we’ll go all out again. We’ll try to end it with a win,” added Galang.

The national team can bag the silver medal with a victory against Malaysia on Sunday. It was during the 2009 SEA Games in Laos when the Philippines had a podium finish after it won a third straight silver medal.

Since then, the Filipinos failed to make it to the top three – even missing the 2013 Myanmar SEA Games.

“We’ve waited a long time for this moment… I’m just proud with what the players did in this game against Singapore and in this SEA Games. To do this in front of our countrymen, I salute our players,” said Evangelista, who was part of all the silver medal finish of the Philippines in the SEA Games.

However, because of the draw between the Filipinos and Singaporeans, the Indonesians have captured the gold medal – a first for them as they ended the 27-SEA Games streak of Singapore in the regional meet.

Since the introduction of water polo in 1965 in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore has won the gold medal in every SEA Games.

Indonesia defeated Singapore 7-5 last Wednesday, and downed Malaysia 14-7 earlier that gave them seven points with two wins and a draw – a 6-6 decision with the Philippines.

Singapore, likely to settle with the bronze medal, has three points after beating Malaysia last Wednesday. They play Thailand also on Sunday in the final day of action in water polo.

The national team was fully aware of not just a must-win against Singapore, but win by more then three goals to solidify its bid for a gold medal.

The Philippines took a commanding 4-0 lead early in the second quarter on a goal by Filipino-American Vince Sicat.

At that point, the crowd was rocking wild as Queen’s “We Will Rock You” hit song blasted at the aquatic center to give support to the home team, which has missed the podium the past four SEA Games.

Veteran goalie was in his ‘beast mode’ again as he anchored the defense with his shot blocking abilities.

Singapore finally scored its first goal with three two minutes left in the period to make it 4-1. Then just before the buzzer, Singapore added another goal to trim the lead of the Philippines at 4-2 at halftime break.

Veteran player Roy Canete gave the Philippines a 5-2 advantage early in the third quarter. Singapore, however, leveled the score at 5-5, before a goal by Canete had another goal that gave the national team its last taste of the lead.

Source: Manila Bulletin