Philippine U18 handball team.
The Philippine U18 handball team continued its upset run late Thursday after edging host Malaysia, 30-29, to barge into the finals of the IHF Trophy in Shah Alam, Selangor.
The Filipinos, initially targetting just to have a podium finish, will now dispute the title against regional power Thailand Friday night.
“We are going all out and the boys showed that they’ve got what it takes to win the title,” said Philippine Handball Federation secretary general Ernesto Jay Adalem.
The Philippines kept the match close all throughout and was leading, 30-28, in the final two minutes before Malaysia launched a last-ditch effort that the Filipinos managed to hold off.
Van Jacob Baccay topscored with six goals for the PH squad, whose strength is the presence of several scoring threats.
Rey Joshua Tabuso added five goals, while Pedro Balisi III, Carl Stephen Francisco, Juan Sancho Henson, Andre Abangan and Juan Carlos Miguel Pierra each chipped in three goals.
The team, making a strong case for inclusion in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, is guided by head coach Joanna Franquelli, Jamael Pangandaman, Aurora Adriano, Luzviminda Pacubas and JC Pangilinan.