PH confident of first-ever handball win

UBON RATCHATHANI, Thailand—Despite the loss to Thailand, the Philippines is still confident of pulling  off a breakthrough win in its maiden international foray in the Southeast Asian Women Handball Championship here.

Dubbed as the Amigas, the Nationals put their opening day 34-19 defeat to the host team behind them with intense practice session Thursday at the Ubon Sports School in the center of this northeastern city that also stood still to observe the birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

“We learned a lot out there and we would definitely be stronger now,” said right back Diana Jose, a member of the national basketball team that won the Seaba in 2010. “There was a lot of adjustment when you’re inside the court playing an experienced team like Thailand.”

Used to training at Philsports, which is primarily a basketball venue and thereby short by at least three meters in length, center back or playmaker Kat Quimpo said there are nuances in the Olympic sport that they still have to get used to.

“As former basketball players, we tend to dribble a lot which is not necessary in handball,” said Quimpo, referring to the handball rule that allows three steps after dribbling. “But we are optimistic that the team will make these adjustments and eventually get better.”

The women’s side pits only three teams (Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam) in a double-round robin where placings will be determined by the win-loss record. The Amigas were to face Vietnam late Thursday in the last game scheduled for the day.

Former PH basketball stalwart Aurora Adriano, playing left back, topscored for the Philippines Wednesday night against Thailand with eight goals, while pivot Fatima Tolentino accounted for six.

Also scoring goals for PH were high-leaping Michelle Bruzola, a former Southeast Asian Games fencing champion, who made three goals, and Quimpo and Legiel Ortencio who added one goal each.