Singapore— The Philippine Southeast Asian Games campaign got off to a bad start as the women’s netball team suffered a 62-22 beating from Thailand Sunday at OCBC Arena inside the national sports hub of this highly cosmopolitan city state.
The first to go into battle for Team Philippines, the squad buckled under pressure and jitters as it plodded throughout four quarters against the highly experienced Thai team.
It was the team’s first-ever game in a tournament and it was evident by they way they turned the ball over for either lifting pivot foot or crossing the lines as players are only allowed to be in designated spots depending on their playing position.
“We didn’t know what to expect to be honest,” said the PH team’s British coach Fransien Howarth. “This is their first-ever real game, you know, and there is some nerves involved.
“But overall, they could have played better,” added Howarth who is a teacher at an international school in Manila.
Goal attacker Ana Thea Cenarosa scored 19 points for the Philippines as the 5-foot-10 former basketball player appeared to be the only one who was into the game.
The rest were obviously still learning the ropes, and the Thais gladly taught them some valuable lessons.
With both teams still trying to get their feel of the game, the Philippines was able to keep the game close, ending the first quarter with just a 6-10 deficit.
But the Thais soon found their groove with goal attacker Sirima Samnaree and goal shooter Yada Boonkong having a field day firing baskets.
In the third quarter, the Thais outscored the Philippines 20-2 en route to the wide winning margin.
The team resumes its stint against powerful Malaysia, which won the gold medal the last time netball was played in the SEAG 14 years ago.