TIGER SHARKS alumni Matthew Royce Yu and Aljon Salonga helped the water polo national team’s campaign to secure a silver in the SEA Games water polo tournament at the New Clark City Aquatics Center on Sunday.
Following a 6-all tie against Indonesia and Singapore in the final matches, the Philippine team outlasted Singapore but settled for second place, behind Indonesia.
The national team defeated Malaysia with a 14-11 victory in its last match.
“Nag-training kami until ma-reach namin ‘yong highest point namin. Ang nag-push for us is ‘yong motivation manalo,” Yu told the Varsitarian in a phone interview.
Malaysia tried to close the Philippines’ two-lead gap in the last three minutes only to be stopped by Yu’s second goal, followed by another goal from Salonga to seal the game.
The team defeated Thailand, 7-4, keeping it alive for the silver medal match.
The Philippine men’s national water polo team ended a 10-year medal drought by two wins and two draws in the tourney. J.R. Monton
