By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The Philippines stunned host China, 7-6, to barge into the gold-medal round in men’s curling at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China Thursday night, Feb. 13.
Touted as underdogs, the Nationals, composed of Alan Frei, Enrico Pfister, Christian Haller, Marc Pfister, and Benjo Delarmente, made a statement in the pivotal moments to assure themselves of at least a silver medal.
Not only was it an impressive feat from a team coming from a tropical nation, but a historic one since this would be the country’s first-ever medal in this multi-sport event.
China lived up to its billing by taking a commanding 4-1 edge after the fourth end, but the Filipinos retaliated by the end of the fifth by scoring four points to gain the upperhand.
Team PH scored another point in the sixth, but China refused to give up, answering back with two points in the seventh end.
The Nationals made one final push in the eighth end by scoring a point to steal the win.
With the victory, the Filipinos arranged a championship match against South Korea, which earlier routed Hong Kong, 13-2.
