BANGKOK – The Philippine polo team found host team Thailand a tough nut to crack, absorbing a 1.5-11 defeat in the mixed 2-4 goals semifinals in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games at the Siam Polo Park Samut Prakan on Monday.
The Thais held the Filipinos scoreless through the first three frames, before team captain Stefano Juban finally got the Philippines on the board in a futile effort in the waning minutes.
The loss prevented the Philippines from getting a gold medal and from replicating its silver-medal finish in the 2019 SEA Games, which was the last time the sport was in the biennial meet.
So disappointed was Team Philippines that it politely declined an interview after the match, although they drew praises from the opposing side.
“I think it's always been difficult to play against them and to be honest, they have been more and more organized each year that we have played against them,” Apichet Srivaddhanaprabha said of Team PH.
However, the Filipinos can still achieve a podium finish against the loser of the other semifinals match between Brunei and Malaysia, which is ongoing.
The battle for bronze will take place at the same venue on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
