Games Tuesday
Water Polo
(New Clark City, Tarlac)
10 a.m. – Singapore vs Thailand (Women’s)
5 p.m. – Malaysia vs Thailand (Men’s)
7 p.m. – Philippines vs Indonesia (Men’s)
Polo
(Inigo Zobel Polo Field,
Calatagan, Batangas)
2 p.m. – Brunei vs Indonesia
4 p.m. – PH vs Malaysia
Footbal
(Binan Football Stadium, Laguna)
4 p.m. – Vietnam vs Thailand
8 p.m. – Philippines vs Myanmar
VETERAN goalie Tani Gomez expects a tough match when the Philippines opens its title campaign against Indonesia in water polo event of the 30th Southeast Asian Games on Tuesday at the Aquatic Center in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
The national team has done all the steps to prepare for the biennial meet in a bid to finally win the gold medal, and Gomez said the squad is ready to battle the reigning SEA Games silver medalist.
“We’re ready for our first game against Indonesia,” said Gomez, who at 38, is the longest tenured member of the national team since he started his stint for flag and country in 2001.
The game between the Philippines and Indonesia is set at 7 p.m., right after the 5 p.m. encounter between Thailand and Malaysia, bronze medal winner in the SEA Games two years ago.
The lone women’s match is scheduled at 10 a.m. pitting Singapore and Thailand.
In preparation for the SEA Games, the national team competed in various international tournaments, including the Betawi Cup in Jakarta middle of this year where the Filipinos defeated the Indonesia’s in the elimination round, but lost to the host country in the final.
In the Hong Kong Open last July, the national team again won in the preliminaries against Indonesia. In early October, the Filipinos and the Indonesians had a tune up match during a test event at the NCC.
Aside from these tournaments, the national team also participated in the FINA Challengers’ Cup last September in Singapore, and had a two-week training camp this month in Tokyo, Japan.
“Maganda yung naging preparations namin, yung mga experience na na-gain madadala namin dito sa SEA Games,” said Mumar Alamara, who plays center-back for the national team.
Aside from Gomez and Alamara, other members of the team are Roy Cañete, Matthew Yu, Mico Anota, Adan Gonzales, Macgyver Reyes, Mark Valdez, Mark Belo, Aljon Salonga, Paolo Serrano, Abnel Amiladjid and Filipino-American Vince Sicat, who is making his SEA Games debut.
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
UNDER WAY IN BIÑAN
Women’s football gets underway at the Binan Football Stadium in Laguna amid more problems encountering the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
The national women’s team faces Myanmar in the featured match at 8 p.m. while defending champion Vietnam battles Thailand in the 4 p.m. opener.
Action in the distaff side comes amid logistical issues also hounding the upcoming competitions.
Philippine defender Hali Long complained Sunday of how the team had to wait for hours for the rooms to be fixed while coach Let Dimzon expressed disappointment over the quality of food served during an afternoon press conference.
MIRACLE WIN
Polo resumes today at the Iñigo Zobel Field in Calatagan, Batangas with the Nationals needing a miracle win to stay in the gold medal hunt.
The Nationals will have their hands full against the defending champions Malaysians in their 4 p.m tussle.
While the Nationals are still reeling from an 8.5-8 loss to Brunei, the Malaysians launched their title-retention bid with an 11-7.5 win over the Indons.
PBA’s top rookie pick CJ Perez and former Rookie of the Year Chris Newsome will lead the national team’s campaign in the 3×3 basketball.
Perez, a member of Gilas Pilipinas in the last FIBA World Cup in China, and Newsome were selected from a 12-man training pool of PBA players together with Jason Perkins and Mo Tautuaa.
Former pro player Ronnie Magsanoc will call the shots for the national team in the SEA Games.
This is the first time the 3×3 basketball event, which is an Olympic sport, will be played in the biennial meet. Action in 3×3 is set December 1 and 2 at The Arena in San Juan.
