PH chinlone squad catches eye of gold-medal coach

Rhemwil Catana and Johnjohn Bobier of Philippines during the Chinlone event at the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur where Chinlone team won the 1st silver for the country.
INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

KUALA LUMPUR—The Philippines sepak takraw chinlone team may not have won the gold, but it gained respect from the one that won it.

Malaysia’s coach Mohd Yusoff Abdullah cited the Filipino’s natural flair in the sport that requires coordination and athleticism.

“The Philippines is relatively new in this sport and given time, they will be a team to watch,” said Abdullah.

The Filipinos dropped the gold medal match to the host Wednesday.

“This gold medal means a lot. It is the first step towards achieving our target. The players were excellent in controlling the ball. Their spirit was high,” added the Malaysian mentor.

After winning the first gold of the 29th Southeast Asian Games, Malaysia sports minister YB Brig. Gen. Khairy Jamaluddin told the host’s athletes: “One down, 110 to go.”

Malaysia, whose 60th Independence Day coincides with its fourth SEA Games hosting, is gunning for 111 golds, the same number it did in winning the 2001 edition.