PH U18 team scores stunner in handball tilt

PH handball youth (U18) team after winning over Indonesia.

The Philippines Under-18 handball team scored a stunning 40-25 upset over favorite Indonesia late Wednesday to boost its medal chances in the IHF Trophy Zone 1B in Shah Alam Selangor, Malaysia.

Making a case for the sport that is relatively new in the country, the PH team can make the finals with a win against host Malaysia late Thursday. Otherwise, it will be relegated to bronze medal match.

Whatever the results, Philippine Handball Federation secretary general Ernesto Jay Adalem said he is pleased by how tough the Filipinos carried themselves against the well established Indonesian squad.

“We are preparing for the youth and junior teams because this is where we have the biggest chances of winning in the region,” said Adalem who accompanied the two teams in Malaysia.

The PH U18 dropped its debut Wednesday night to title favorite Thailand, 40-22, in a match that saw the Filipinos leading in the first 10 minutes.

The country’s U20 team (juniors) suffered its second straight defeat Wednesday, bowing to Malaysia, 39-18. It also lost to Indonesia Tuesday, 34-25.

“Our junior team (U20) are mostly youth players (U18) because we are preparing them for future tournaments,” said head coach Joanna Franquelli.

Franquelli said the event coincides with coaching course to be attended by three Filipino coaches and conducted by German mentor Wolfgang Luwak.

The IHF Trophy is program for developing countries for handball and is fully subsided by the International Handball Federation.