HANDBALL SILVER. Ambassador Charles Jose (middle, in barong), joins the Philippine delegation and Embassy officers and staff after the awarding ceremonies as the Philippine handball team won the silver medal in the IHF Trophy Zone 1B -East and South East Asia 2018 in Selangor, Malaysia on April 22, 2018. The young team bowed to powerhouse Thailand during the April 21 finals via a score of 38-28. (Photo courtesy of DFA)
KUALA LUMPUR -- The Philippines under-18 (U-18) youth team beat expectations and won the silver at the International Handball Federation (IHF) Trophy-East and South East Asia 2018 held at the Panasonic Stadium in Shah Alam, Selangor from 17 to 21 April.
Earlier, the U-18 team won their matches against Malaysia and Indonesia to arrange the finals showdown with powerhouse Thailand, who also won the Juniors (under-20) crown during the event.
The finals match was witnessed by Ambassador Charles Jose and Embassy officers and staff who cheered for the team.
“I wish to congratulate the team for their performance, given the level of competition in the region, and the training and support they receive. We hope that with this impressive performance and more opportunities to become better, more attention and support be given to the sport in the Philippines,” he said.
According to Philippine Handball Federation secretary general Dr. Ernesto Jay Adalem, who accompanied the Youth and Juniors team, the delegation was only gunning for a podium finish, but the young team exceeded expectations by finishing second.
Thailand won the gold medal during the April 21 finals via a score of 38-28. (PNA)
