The Philippine water polo junior teams grabber a piece of history, with the boys’ under-21 squad claiming a bronze medal in the 60th Malaysia Invitational Age-Group Water Polo Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Coached by Roi Dela Cruz, under the supervision of Serbian mentor and consultant Filip Stojanovic, the Filipino boys bounced back strong after losing their first two games to host country’s Team A (2-20) and Team B (3-11), before beating Indonesian Team A, 17-7 and Indonesian Team B (15-4) to be assured of the bronze medal.
The Filipinos missed a chance to fight for the gold, though, as they lost to Singapore, 5-16.
“It was the best finish yet by a Filipino youth team in an international water polo tournament. First medal din po ito ng ating team sa water polo since maka-silver ang ating senior squad sa SEA Games noong 2019,” said Dela Cruz.
The Women’s U24 also had high-spirited games against Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Despite having a winless campaign, Julia Basa, a 17-year-old UST senior high school student and member of the swimming squad in the UAAP, became the first Filipina to score a goal in a water polo competition.
“We doff our hat to our young athletes, these experiences will help them prepare for the upcoming competitions, hopefully in the SEA Age-Group and the SEA Games in December. PAI, under the leadership of president Miko Vargas and Secretary General and Batangas 1st District Congressman Eric Buhain, also extends our gratitude to the support of the Philippine Sports Commission,” said PAI Executive Director Anthony Reyes.
Aside from Basa, the women’s team is composed of Sabee de Guzman, Monica Arlante, Marga Morrison-lonie, Cyril Espongja, Sam Balagot, Raesher Dela Paz, Shinloah San Diego, Ashly Addison, Josie Addison, Mitzie Llegunas, Zoe Ferrer, and Alex Picardal, while the junior boys’ squad is comprised of Kennzie Dumanglas, Joaquin Mirasol, Miel Ugaban, Matthew Romero, Caleb De Leon, Lance Adalin, Matthew Dasig, Niklas de Guzman, Hugo Lopez, Ted Tolentino, Dave Geda, Andre Establecida, Julian Malubag, and Sebastien Castro.
Meantime, Reyes said that it’s all systems go for the MVP-PAI National tryouts to select members of the team for the upcoming Southeast Asian Age-Group Championship at the Teofilo Ildefonso Aquatic Center inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.
The three-day competition slated April 25 to 27 is open to all local PAI-member swimmers and Filipinos based abroad as they vie for the inclusion in the 13-under, 14-15, 16-17, and 18-over age group divisions.
Asian Age Group Championships 2014 lone gold medal winner Jamesray Ajido is expected to lead the boys’ competition, while 13-year-old Vietnam-based Hannah White, younger sister of multi-titled Heather White, will banner the female competitors.
