RP water polo bets clinch silver anew

VIENTIANE – The Philippines won its first medal of the Games with the silver medal finish of the Philippine water polo team at the close of the one-round competitions yesterday at the Lao PDR’s National Sports Complex in Vientiane, Laos.

The Filipinos crushed Indonesia in their third game in the short, four-country competition, 13-8, to finish second anew behind unbeaten Singapore, a European-reinforced team that dominated the event the last 22 years.

The Singaporeans swept the four-team field after warding off Thailand, 8-5, to pocket their 15th championship in a rather anti-climactic fashion at the Lao PDR’s National Sports Complex.

Indonesia and Thailand, based on the rules, will both get bronze medals as there were only four entries in the event after the withdrawal of Vietnam at the last minute.

 “We are very happy that the loss to Singapore yesterday did not devastate our guys,” said swimming association head Mark Joseph.

This should serve as a big boost to our swimmers and divers,” noted Joseph who vowed that Filipinos will briskly challenge Singapore’s reign as swimming big shot of the SEAG during the individual and relay events from December 10 to 14.

All 12 Filipino swimmers showed up at the practice pool yesterday looking sharp and trim including Olympian Miguel Molina and James Walsh, a backstroke specialist.

“Our target is around seven gold medals,” Joseph said.

RP’s 10-man golf team flew today from Manila completing the roster of athletes in 22 disciplines.

No Filipino team or athlete is scheduled to play on Tuesday but the entire delegation will hear Mass at 11 a.m. inside the sprawling athletes’ village and Chef de Mission Mario Tanchangco shall lead RP officials in the official flag-raising ceremonies to be attended by all 11 member countries starting at 2 p.m.

In a meeting attended by team managers and officers of the RP secretariat, Tanchangco announced a 10 p.m. curfew for all Filipino athletes and sternly warned them against consumption of alcoholic beverages.

“This is necessary to preserve decorum and gain the respect of all the members of the SEAG family,” Tanchangco said.