Floorball delivers first SEA Games victory

The country’s national women’s floorball team tallied the first victory for the host nation with an 8-1 win over Indonesia in the 30th Southeast Asian Games on Monday at the UP College of Human Kinetics Gym.

Forward Jade Rivera delivered five goals, including three hits in the first period, which made it a 5-1 spread in the first 20 minutes of the game.

“We didn’t expect to win this big. We only prepared as a team for one week, but I guess everyone wanted to win as one, just like the motto of the SEA Games,” Rivera said.

In a highly physical match, Team Philippines’ Michelle Jennifer Lindahl drew first blood with her goal at the 2:45 mark.

Yosi Nurmalida Pramatiara of Indonesia answered back with her side’s lone goal to even the score.

Rivera led an onslaught that hiked the cushion to a four-point lead after the first period. From there, the Indonesians were punished as Rivera, along with Michelle Cruzado, applied pressure in the next two frames for a swift end.

Coach Noel Johansson said the country must beat powerhouse teams Singapore and Thailand, which they are facing today at 1 p.m., to earn a shot at gold.