Haiyang, China – Game but conspicuously inexperienced, the Philippine women handball squad bowed to nifty Jordan in its initial appearance Saturday in the third Asian Beach Games at Fenxiang Beach.
Playing their first ever official outdoor match, the Filipinas missed a bundle of scoring opportunities and struggled on defensive adjustments in losing the first set 2-17 and the second 9-21.
Being in the killer four-nation elimination group that includes tall and hefty China and Thailand, the Filipinas, composed of former fencing and basketball athletes, face tougher times ahead today.
“We take this exposure as a barometer of our physical abilities and skill level. I am certain that the ABG will contribute largely in making us internationally competitive in the near future not only in outdoor but indoor handball,” said handball association executive director Jay Adalem.
Organizers, aware of the heavy schedule on Sunday, shortened to two hours and simplified Saturday evening’s opening ceremonies highlighted by the lighting of the ABG torch at the Fenxiang beach.
The 10-man crew of dragon boat plunges into action in the elimination phase of the 500-meter race today, starting at 9 a.m., against Indonesia, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
The Filipinos must rule the first round as it will mean an automatic ticket to the medal run before noon time while the three other bidders go through repechage and a semifinal race to qualify into the four-nation finale.
“We have a winning plan in our minds and the only issue now is perfect execution,” said Len Escollante.