Metro tops handball league’s first tourney

Metro Handball Club swept both divisions of the first-ever Philippine Handball Federation Developmental League recently at Philsports Arena.

With MVP Jamael Pangandaman leading the charge, Metro edged University of Makati, 20-18, for the men’s title in the 12-club tournament. Pasig Handball Club downed Loyola United, 19-13, and settled for third place.

MVP awardee Aurora Adriano shone for Metro in a 29-4 rout of Pasig in the women’s championship match. Infinit downed UP Bolera, 12-10, to finish third.

“We are thrilled to launch our development league from which we plan to lay the foundation for future  Philippine teams,” said PHL president Steve Hontiveros.

PHL executive director Dr. Ernest Jay Adalem of St. Clare College said the country has enough handball players who can eventually compete in the regional competitions.

“This is an Olympic sport that we can really excel in given the speed and agility the Filipinos possess,” said Adalem, who is also chair of the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities.

National University ruled the junior boys’ competition, beating University of Asia and the Pacific, while College of San Benildo-Rizal topped the youth boys’ category at the expense of Grace Handball Club.