The Bacolod’s Pilipinas Ilahas M18 (Team Philippines) bowed to Singapore in the semifinals but prevailed over Macau in the battle for third place to finish with the bronze medal in the Asia Pacific Youth Tchoukball Championships held July 20-22 in Melaka, Malaysia.

Despite yielding to Singapore in the semifinals by three points, the the boys from Bacolod bounced in their final match against Macau to finish third. Chinese Taipei successfully defended their crown, while Singapore settled for second place.

Joining the tournament as a rookie team, Ilahas team officials said the Philippine squad manage to deliver a sterling performance during the competition and drew good feedbacks from other rivals.

Members of the team were James Vergel Jamelo, Shem Kelly Palcat, Kentrik Buncio, Jeffrey Tan, Keano Marion Rosales, Franklin Al Lobaton, Julien Carlo Miraflor, Joseph Joy Matulac, Roelle Chapa, Jess Patrick Sioson and Judel Roy Lacson.

Team coach is John Elray Jamelo with Raymund Jamelo as head coach. Joining the team in Malaysia was PTF regional director Jose Montalbo.*

Meanwhile, it’s all systems go for t5th Asia Pacifc Tchoukball Championships that will be hosted by the West Negros University in Bacolod City on August 3 to 5.

WNU sports director Anthony Carlo Agustin said the University gym is ready to host the international tournament with six international teams confirming their entries as of press time.

He said they are expecting the teams to arrive on August 1 and hold their practice games in the gym prior to the opening of the tournament.

Earlier, Philippine Tchoukball Federation national chairman Gary Visitacion said they are expecting more countries to join in the competition with host Philippines aiming to make it into the final four.

Introduced only a couple years ago in the Philippines, Visitacion said tchoukball has already gained a good following, with the Bacolod and Davao teams making their impressive debut in international competitions last year.

Team Philippines Philippines won the men’s title in the 2nd Southeast Asia