SEA Games: PH booters score first win, deny Cambodians ‘bonus’

KUALA LUMPUR — The Philippines U22 team dismantled Cambodia, 2-0, on strong second-half goals by Reymart Cubon and Filipino-Japanese Kou-Ichi Belgira late Tuesday night in the Southeast Asian Games.

Cubon, of Far Eastern University, broke the ice in the 52nd minute as the Filipinos shook off a lethargic start.

Then Belgira booted home a free kick with exciting striker Javier Gayoso acting as decoy in the 81st.

The win gave the Philippines three points in the tournament and bolstered its hopes to make the podium.

Cambodia started off hot, fueled by the promise of its prime minister to give team members $1,000 each per won game.

But the Filipinos buckled down to work and put up a punishing string of attacks in the second half.