THE Philippines stunned defending champion Malaysia for its first win while Brunei streaked to its second victory in the 4-6 goals event of polo competition in the 30th SEA Games Tuesday at the Iñigo Zobel Polo Field in Calatagan, Batangas.
Getting big games from Santi Juban, Gus Aguirre and Tommy Bitong, Team PH scored an 8.5-5 win over the Malaysians.
Brunei, on the other hand, proved too classy for Indonesia, 7-4.
The win was the second straight for the tiny but oil-rich country after edging past Philippines, 8.5-8, in the opener on Sunday.
The defeat was the second straight for Indonesia after absorbing an 11-7.5 defeat to defending champion Malaysia also on the opening day.
Team PH’s win revived its bid for a gold medal finish.
BE PATIENT — BAMBOL
Meantime, if he could have his way, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President and Tagaytay Rep. Bambol Tolentino would like to change the official theme song of the biennial meet from ‘We Win As One’ to ‘We Win As One, We Stand As One’.
As complains continue to mount against the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc), Tolentino reminded sports-loving Filipinos to be patient.
“We have to move on, this are just temporary setbacks,” said Tolentino during yesterday’s PSA Forum at Amelie Hotel in Manila.
“Remember, the next time we will host this could be in 2030. So, let’s not pull each other down. This is for the country.”
Since athletes from other countries started to arrive last Saturday, social media had a field day attacking what they termed ‘ineptness’ of Phisgoc as athletes complained about accommodation, transportation and food.
“We all made mistakes that’s why we should work together. Those in the social media, the netizens, let’s move on first with our hosting,” said the congressman and chief of Philippine cycling.
“It’s normal,” he said of what he described as minor glitches, leading to complaints regarding the food being provided to the athletes, and accreditations with mistaken identities.
“I’ve experienced that myself,” Tolentino said during the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Braska Restaurant, Amelie Hotel and Pagcor. (REY C. LACHICA)
