BY JONAS TERRADO AND WAYLON GALVEZ
THE Philippine team stamped its class over Indonesia, 6-4.5, and arranged a gold medal match with defending champion Malaysia in the 4-6 high goal competition of polo in the 30th SEA Games yesterday at the Calatagan Polo Field in Batangas.
The game was tight in the first two chukkers before the Nationals, led by Gus Aguirre, came through with huge goals for their second straight win since absorbing 8.5-8 loss to Brunei in the opener last Sunday.
Out to retain the title they won over the Thais two years ago in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysians ended Brunei’s two-game winning run with 8-5.5 win at the close of the single-round elims.
The three – Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei – finished with similar 2-1 records but the Nationals took the No. 1 seed on account of bigger goal difference of 4.5 with the Malaysians finishing second with 2.5.
Brunei settled for third 1 goal difference and was relegated to a bronze medal duel with Indonesia.
The final will be on Sunday.
Polo’s second event – the 0-2 goal – starts on Dec. 3 with the Philippine team of Rep. Mikee Romero slightly favored to win the gold.
MALDITAS EYE SEMIS
Meantime, the PH women’s football team – known as Malditas – shoots for a semis berth while the men’s U-22 squad fights for dear life when they face their Malaysian counterparts today.
A victory will secure the Malditas a place in the semis against Malaysia in their 8 p.m. women’s match at the Binan Football Stadium in Laguna.
Over at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, the Young Azkals try to replicate the feat of the 1991 Games and defeat the fancied Malaysia side that settled for silver two years ago in a similar 8 p.m. kickoff.
Momentum is on the side of the Pinay booters after holding Myanmar to a scoreless draw, a feat that seemed unlikely after being pounded 6-0 in 2017 and 3-0 in the bronze medal match of this year’s AFF Women’s Championship.
Coach Let Dimzon, however, believes that there’s still more room for improvement after a lack of finishing denied the team an elusive goal against their Burmese counterparts.
“Kailangan talaga ma-capitalize namin yung atake namin ,” said Dimzon. “I think if we can do that against Malaysia, we’ll be able to get a good result.”
Sarina Bolden, Cam Rodriguez, and Sara Castaneda are among the players expected to deliver for the Malditas.
TALL ORDER
Meanwhile, the Young Azkals hope to draw inspiration from the upset of Malaysia at the same venue in 1991 and secure the maximum three points in order to stay in the hunt for the semifinals.
Over at the New Clark City Stadium, the PH men’s water polo team tries to do the unthinkable when it faces long-time champion Singapore at 7 p.m.
After a 6-6 draw with the Indons, the PH bets need to beat the Singaporeans for a chance to snatch the gold medal.
“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 Philippine flag waving crowd when the national team battles the defending 27-time gold medalist Singapore Friday at the New Clark City Aquatic Center in Tarlac.
Also shooting for a place in the medal round is PH netball team which battles Brunei also today at the City of Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.
The Pinay side is eager to arrest a string of lopsided defeats and secure a final four seat against its Brunei counterparts in the match set at 3 p.m.
Victory had eluded the team since the event began last Monday, losing 80-28 to Singapore followed by an 88-25 setback to defending champion Malaysia and 64-29 to Thailand.
