RP defends underwater hockey title

The Philippine Underwater Hockey Confederation, formerly known as Philippine Underwater Hockey Club, is hosting the second Asian Underwater Hockey Championships on Nov. 21-23 in Fort Bonifacio.

Singapore and Japan are among the foreign teams competing but much of the attention will be on the host team looking to duplicate its dominating performance in this event last year.

“We’re the defending champions so pressure is on us to deliver again,” said PUHC vice president Dennis Valdez during the media launch at the Manila Polo Club Tuesday.

The event, presented by Speedo and Beach Hut and supported by the POC, Solar Sports, Manila Bulletin, Havaianas, Big Game, Kerastase Paris and Robinson’s Supermarket, is divided into three categories – men’s, women’s and mixed.

The sport is a fast moving game that usually uses one’s ability to swim and dive since the discipline is played on the bottom of the swimming pool by two six-player teams using fins, mask, snorkel, protective glove, ear guards and headgear.

Ultimately, though, it would need more than individual ability since success would hinge on teamwork and strategy since no single player could hold his or her breath that long.

“It’s an exciting sport,” said PUHC president Nix Arroyo.

A group of UP divers was the first to play the extreme water sports nearly three decades ago.

The PUHC is recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Confederation Mondiale des Activites Subaquatiques or the World Underwater Federation.