Water polo team sinks Thailand

PH water polo team. Photo by Marc Reyes

KUALA LUMPUR—A brave crew in water polo gave the Philippines a flying start that not even a stinging defeat in netball could diminish Tuesday in the 29th Southeast Asian Games here.

The Spain-trained men’s water polo team scored a 9-7 win over Thailand as the Philippine campaign got going at Bukit Jalil National Stadium Aquatics Center.

Philippine Sports Commission chair Butch Ramirez lauded the water polo team, citing the players’ determination amid adversity.

“I’m happy for their journey,” said Ramirez, who is in the Philippines. “They went to Spain and Portugal and played against some European teams.”

It was a big boost for the sport, which didn’t win a match two years ago in Singapore and was given reconsideration to make the team here.

“I’ve seen their determination and sacrifices to win honors for our motherland,” added Ramirez.

Later in the day, however, the Philippines suffered an 86-3 defeat at the hands of Thailand in netball.

Though they were not expected to figure prominently and only made the PH contingent for “developmental reasons,” the outcome was worse than the 62-22 loss the Filipinos had against the Thais two years ago in Singapore.

Men’s and women’s football teams were to see action Tuesday night against Cambodia and Malaysia, respectively.

Archery and sepak takraw will begin their quest on Wednesday.

Filipino athletes who are already here will converge Wednesday as the Philippine flag is formally raised at Bukit Jalil National Sports Stadium.