WATER POLO SQUAD GUNS FOR NEXT BEST THING

NEW CLARK CITY—THE Philippine men’s water polo team is enjoying its newfound fame—including a naughty, new tag: “Pandesal Boys.”

“We are trending,” Roy Canete, the Philippine squad’s scoring machine, said in Filipino on Saturday after emerging from their morning practice.

“We are in high morale. That’s because of the crowd support we’re getting.”

For their chiseled physique and gung-ho style of play, the Nationals were given that new moniker that has caught on especially on the internet.

“When we hear the crowd’s cheers, it’s like we never get tired at all,” Canete added. “Hopefully tomorrow (Sunday), they all show up and bring even more people.”

That’s because the Philippines is eyeing a silver medal when it goes up against winless Malaysia at 7 p.m. at Aquatics Center here.

Canete and team captain/ goalie Tani Gomez lead the squad also composed of Matthew Yu, Mico Anota, Macgyver Reyes, Adan Gonzales, Paolo Serrano, Abnel Amiladjid, Aljon Salonga, Mark Valdez, Romark Bello, Mummar Alamara, Frazier Alamara, Ricardo Dilap and Gabor Egedi.

“I think we leveled up in this SEA Games, and that showed in our match against [27-time champion] Singapore,” said Gomez, who stood front and center of the Philippines’ unforgiving defense.

The Philippines drew with Singapore, 6-6, in a thrilling match that saw the host leading, 4-0, in the second quarter.

The Filipinos could have won gold outright had they won that match by three points.

Another unbeaten side in Indonesia also drew with the Philippines before dethroning Singapore with a historic 7-5 victory. Now the Indonesians are assured of gold medal with seven points in the competition.

“But that’s how it goes, we knew Singapore would fight back. They are a strong team,” said deputy coach Dale Evangelista.

He said the country’s performance—after missing the podium the past 10 years—is a “rebirth for Philippine water polo.”

“We will not take chances against Malaysia,” Evangelista added.