After a tough loss to Thailand, Philippine men’s polo team will take on Malaysia for the bronze medal in the SEA Games 2025.
Even in a dominant 11–1.5 outing, host Thailand took a moment to commend the Philippine men’s polo team for their semifinal performance in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
“I think it's always been difficult to play against them, and to be honest, they have been more and more organized each year that we have played against them,” Thai player Apichet Srivaddhanaprabha said of the Nationals’ performance in an interview with Cignal.
The Filipinos found themselves up against a polished Thai unit charging confidently on home soil.
For three straight chukkers, Thailand’s defense shut out the Nationals and dictated the pace, leaving the Philippines scrambling to find an opening.
It wasn’t until the final minutes that Philippine team captain Stefano Juban knocked in a goal—an effort he acknowledged as bittersweet.
“Consolation na lang na naka-goal kami. It is what it is. Bilog ang bola, at hindi lang natin araw ngayon,"Juban said.
The lopsided loss not only halted the Philippines’ gold-medal hopes, but also dashed any chance of repeating their silver-medal run in the 2019 SEA Games, the last time polo was featured in the biennial event.
Yet Srivaddhanaprabha praised the growth of polo in the Philippine team over the years, noting how their 2019 hosting gave them a foundation to build from.
“The last time they hosted the SEA Games, it gave them a lot of advantages,” he said.
“It gave them all the information they needed to build the team and bring their players here to compete. Every game we see new players coming up. The organization helps them bring the whole team here, and it’s a great opportunity for them,” he added.
[ALSO READ: SEA Games: From horse groomer to player, Robert Esguerra shines for Philippine polo]
The Philippines will still have a chance to earn a medal, facing Malaysia in the bronze-medal match Wednesday, Dec. 10.
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE | Team Philippines competes at SEA Games 2025 Thailand]
“We just have to keep fighting and be hopeful that we all show up,” Juban said.
—
Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.