[ad_1]
John Vic de Guzman (above) celebrates through the Philippines victory over Thailand within the 2019 SEA Video games. De Guzman is the skipper of the boys’s staff presently competing in Thailand. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Regardless of giving all of it they’d, there wasn’t any member of the Philippine squad who was shocked by the drubbing they acquired from an Iranian membership on Friday at the beginning of the Asian Golf equipment Championships in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
Skipper John Vic de Guzman stated it was clear to the staff that they’d be taking over the very best within the continent.
“We got here right here for publicity and expertise. In fact we need to win, however our opponents are not any pushovers,” stated De Guzman, after Iran’s Sirjan Foulad hammered out a 25-15, 25-22, 25-5 rout of the Philippines, which is carrying the Rebisco colours within the event. “We have to compete towards them to get higher.”
The lads’s staff truly had a peek of what was to return by the efficiency of the ladies’s pool that competed earlier than it. Cut up into two ball golf equipment, the ladies’s pool solely managed one win within the distaff facet of the occasion, and solely as a result of the squads finally needed to play towards one another.
However getting on the court docket towards their superior rivals confirmed the boys simply precisely what they’re going to be confronted with.
“It’s an incredible expertise for us, as nicely, that we acquired to face a high-level Asian staff like Iran,” stated males’s coach Dante Alinsunurin.
The sport marked the staff’s first outing since salvaging a shock silver medal within the 2019 Southeast Asian Video games, the place it shocked perennial champ Thailand within the semifinals.
However this squad now misses key front-liners Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas, who’re taking part in as imports within the Japanese V-League.
“We’re pleased to be taking part in once more, however we will’t say if we will go one hundred pc as a result of the pandemic stopped sports activities again dwelling,” added De Guzman.
Rebuilding course of
The lads’s and girls’s squads, each within the technique of rebuilding, had been quartered in Lipa, Batangas, earlier than coming to Thailand in a bid to get in form after well being lockdowns barred them from coaching.
Taking part in towards the defending Iranian Tremendous League champion confirmed the boys simply how a lot misplaced floor they should make up for.
“It’s a extremely nice alternative for us to lastly get again to competing internationally after nearly two years,” stated Alinsunurin.
“We actually struggled, however I’m nonetheless glad of how we fought and tried to carry the very best out of one another,” stated Joshua Umandal, the College of Santo Tomas product who led the squad with seven factors. “The Iranian staff’s on a unique stage, however I’m assured with my staff and all of the preparations we did to get right here.”
“We didn’t take the win, however we’re nonetheless grateful for the prospect to compete towards them,” he added.
—WITH A REPORT FROM BONG LOZADA
Learn Subsequent
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get entry to The Philippine Day by day Inquirer & different 70+ titles, share as much as 5 devices, hearken to the information, obtain as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Name 896 6000.
For suggestions, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.
[ad_2]
Source