PH underwater hockey team eyes SEA Games sweep

The Philippine men’s underwater hockey team. Photo from Philippine Underwater Hockey Confederation Facebook

IMUS, Cavite—The Philippines’ national underwater hockey teams like their chances of seizing the gold when the sport makes its debut in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Team captains Alex Colet and Chari May Ongyanco are keen on a potential SEA Games sweep having trained extensively while being exposed to high-caliber competition as part of their buildup.

“We have a high chance of getting the gold this SEA Games and the target is we get all of it,” said Ongyanco in Filipino Saturday at Vermosa Sportshub here. “We’ve played in the Asian Championships and we’ve also competed in the Worlds.”

The Philippines is expecting a stiff challenge against three other countries in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore in the biennial meet.

But the home team is confident about getting the job done having faced tougher competition in the past, particularly Australia, which is one of the top underwater hockey nations in the world.

And that’s one of the Philippines’ advantages against its counterparts.

“If you play against the Kobe Bryants, as you said, then the Asian teams that we’re going to play against are not Kobe Bryants because in the world championships, Australia is in the top three,” said Colet, a veteran of the World stage who will be spearheading the men’s team.

“Since we played against Australia, then we set a standard even an intensity in the game that we think we can bring in the game that our competitors haven’t experienced yet,” added Colet, who plays the center back position.

The Nationals, who are looking to bag all four gold medals at stake, plunge into action on Dec. 2 to 5 at Vermosa Sportshub.