Sports: Chinese Taipei Too Much for Phl A in 5th Asia Pacific Tchoukball Championship
Defending champion Chinese Taipei showed the way why they are No. 1 in the world in Tchoukball by beating Phil A Agilas of Davao City, 84-34 for its second straight win in this 7-nation eight squads vying for title in the 5th Asia Pacific Tchoukball Championship at the West Negros University gym yesterday.
Sanggunian Member Carl Lopez (4th from R) speaks before delegates to the Asia Pacific Tchoukball Federation games at the West Negros University yesterday. There are 600 to 700 players and coaches from 16 countries, that include Chinese-Taipei, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hongkong-China,Laos, Japan, South Korea, Pakistan, India, United Arab Emirates, Brunei Darussalam, Myanmar and the Philippines.*
Coach James Mendiola credited the team work of the defending champion that was assembled 20 years ago and the best in the world in the sport, compared to them that were assembled only two years ago. They played the match to gain more experience from the defending champion and hope to get some upset win to a more experienced team.
Earlier, Chinese Taipei also beat Korea at WNU Covered Court where games were held simultaneously in single round robin matches to determine the top four teams. Philippine Team A also scored against Thailand in a match before the formal opening at 1PM.
Philippine Team B of Bacolod City also defeated Indonesia, 74-29, and the latter also lost to Singapore in their next match.
Philippine B and Malaysia are playing as of press time at WNU gym.
The teams were tendered a welcome party at the Bacolod Government Center by the City government of Bacolod.
Today’s matches will pit against Chinese Taipei in the first game at 8am, followed by Thailand vs. Singapore; Philippine A vs. Singapore; Indonesia vs. Chinese Taipei ; Phl B vs. Singapore; Phl A vs. Korea; Malaysia vs., Phl A; and Korea vs. Indonesia at WNU gym. At the covered Court; Malaysia vs. Korea; Phil A vs. Indonesia; Phl B vs. Korea; Thailand vs. Malaysia; Chinese Taipei vs. Malaysia; Indonesia vs. Thailand; Singapore vs. Taipei; and Thailand vs. Phil B.
On Sunday will be the crossover semifinal with No. 1 team to face No. 4 and No. 2 against No. 3. Closing ceremony will be at 4pm followed by Tchoukball Night/Gala Dinner at Business Inn.
Officials of International Tchoukball Federation attended the opening ceremony headed by its president Chris Wang of Taiwan along with George Chao and Coach Shen Si Fang.
Team Philippines players are from Bacolod and Davao cities, reinforced by players of Pilipinas Ilahas under-18 that won the title in the 2nd Southeast Asia Tchoukball championship held in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam October last year.
Philippine Tchoukball Federation is headed by Pastor Gary Visitacion.*
