PH netball bets humbled by Thais

The Philippines lost its first match five days before the start of the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.

Competing in the netball event, the women’s team bowed to Thailand, 6222, yesterday at the OCBC Arena Hall 1.

The Filipinas managed to keep the game close in the first two quarters, trailing, 14-8, but the Thais asserted themselves in the third period, 20-2, to complete the one-sided win.

Boonkong Yada and Samnaree Sirima led the Thais with 32 and 22 goals, respectively.

Ana Thea Cenarosa had 18 goals for the Nationals who managed to attempt 36 times as opposed to the Thais’ 88.

Netball is played by two teams of seven players at a slightly bigger court than basketball. A raised goal without backboard is located on both ends of the court.

Predominantly played by women, each player with the ball can take no more than one step before passing it, and must pass the ball or shoot for goal within three seconds.

The game is divided into four quarters, each lasting 15 minutes.

In the other completed match, Singapore crushed Brunei, 72-21, with Charmaine So accounting for 38 goals.

The Philippines takes on Malaysia on Monday at 3:30 p.m. —Rey Bancod