Philippines’ water polo team jubilate after their game against Singapore at the 30th South East Asian Games in New Clark City, Tarlac on Friday, Nov. 29, 2019. Philippines scored a draw against Singapore 6-6. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
NEW CLARK CITY — The Philippine men’s water polo team is enjoying its new-found fame — everything including its naughty, new tag “Pandesal Boys.”
“Sir, we are trending,” Roy Canete, the PH squad’s scoring machine, said in Filipino on Saturday emerging from their morning practice.
“We are in high morale. That’s because of the crowd support we’re getting.”
For their chiseled physique and gung-ho style of play, the Nationals were dubbed a moniker that has caught on especially on the internet: “Pandesal Boys.”
“When we hear their cheers, seems like we never get tired at all,” added Canete. “Hopefully tomorrow (Sunday) they all show up and bring even more people.”
Philippines’ water polo team carry the national flag as they acknowledge the cheers from the crowd after their game against Singapore at the 30th South East Asian Games in New Clark City, Tarlac province, northern Philippines on Friday, Nov. 29, 2019. Philippines scored a draw against Singapore 6-6. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
That’s because the Philippines is eyeing a silver medal when it goes against winless Malaysia at 7 p.m. at the Aquatics Center here.
Canete and team captain/goalie Tani Gomez lead the squad also composed of Matthew Yu, Mico Anota, Macgyver Reyes, Adan Gonzales, Paolo Serrano, Abnel Amiladjid, Aljon Salonga, Mark Valdez, Romark Bello, Mummar Alamara, Frazier Alamara, Ricardo Dilap dilap and Gabor Egedi.
“I think this SEA Games we leveled up and that showed in our match against (27-time champion) Singapore,” said Gomez who stood front and center of the Philippines’ unforgiving defense.
Pandesal Boys because of their six-packs, the PH waterpolo team goes all out for silver on Sunday. | @marcreyesINQ https://t.co/0cuus7vpnz
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) November 30, 2019
The Philippines drew Singapore (6-6) in a thrilling match that saw the host leading, 4-0, in the second quarter. The Filipinos could have won gold outright if they had won the match by three points.
Fellow unbeaten Indonesia also drew the Philippines but it dethroned Singapore with a historic 7-5 victory. Now the Indonesians are assured of gold medal with seven points in the competition.
“But that’s how it goes, we knew Singapore would fight back. They are a strong team,” said Dale Evangelista, who is deputy to head coach Rey Galang.
Evangelista said the country’s performance — after missing the podium the past 10 years — is a “rebirth for Philippine water polo.”
“Now we are going for the silver, and we will not take chances against Malaysia. We have to play smart,” Evangelista added.