Sea games curtain rises Polo action unfolds 7 days before grand opening

MANILA, Philippines — The sport of kings takes center stage ahead of the keenly-awaited inaugurals of the 30th Southeast Asian Games with preliminaries in Division A 4-6 Goals kicking off polo competitions in faraway Calatagan, Batangas today.

Though only four from the 11-nation SEAG field will be disputing the coveted two golds in the extravagant sport, action will be fierce and tight starting at 1 p.m at the Iñigo Zobel Polo Field. It’s the Philippines against Brunei then Indonesia against Malaysia in the opening matches.

From the looks of things – with vast resources at each team’s disposal that guarantee top-notch horses and extended training abroad, no team holds a distinct advantage over the other, thus ensuring a “battle royale” from the region’s rich and famous.

“That’s certainly going to happen because everybody is holding their cards close to their chests. Our rivals are tough but we are prepared for the challenges that will come our way,” said Rep. Mikee Romero of Team Philippines.

Seven days away from the grand opening at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on Saturday, action heats up tomorrow with prelims action in  football, floorball and netball with the Azkals U-22 taking on Cambodia at the Rizal football stadium and the Malditas facing off with the Myanmar side over at the Biñan stadium in Laguna.

The floorball bets launch their medal drive in the men’s and women’s prelims at UP College of Human Kinetics Gym while their netball counterparts kick off their campaign at Sta. Rosa Sports Complex, also in Laguna.

Water polo bets get the chance to showcase their wares starting Tuesday at the brand-new New Clark City Aquatics Center with the women’s team vying in the morning sessions and the men’s crew seeing action in the afternoon.

The chase for windsurfing gold begins on Nov. 28 in Subic while the men’s and women’s beach volleyball bets flaunt their form at Subic Tennis Center on Nov. 29, the same day the Filipino sailing team will start their campaign and the figure skaters display their wares over at SM Megamall.

Then after the Nov. 30 opening ceremonies, the first time in SEAG history that the inaugurals will be held closed door at the 55,000-seater Phl Arena with the lighting of the controversial cauldron to be held in New Clark City in Tarlac, competitions in arnis, chess, cycling (cross country), dance sport, gymnastics, ice hockey, kurash, lawn bowls, squash, tennis, and three sports with gold medals already at stake, triathlon, weightlifting and wushu start in earnest on Dec. 1.