Fadhil Yunus
Brunei Darussalam’s national netball team began their second round in Group F with a 40-37 defeat against the Philippines in the Asian Netball Championships (ANC) 2022 at the OCBC Arena, Singapore Sports Hub in Singapore yesterday.
Brunei, also known as the Royal Bees, put on a highly-spirited display especially in the fourth quarter but ultimately fell short as their regional rivals secured their second straight win in the group.
The new-look Royal Bees started the fourth quarter with renewed vigour as two straight points on the bounce helped trim Philippines’ advantage, but their opponents duly responded to remain in control of the tie.
Brunei’s attacking duo formed a good partnership and closed the gap following a slick move that led to a fine conversion.
The Filipinos kept on pulling away, however, as a baseline drive allowed their goal shooter to display another clinical finish before a double play left them further ahead. With the Philippines’ goal defence penalised for contact, a penalty pass was finished off with a point as Brunei reduced the gap to four points with five minutes of the clock remaining.
Despite a Bruneian player spilling possession for a throw-in, a footwork call against the goal defence allowed Brunei to capitalise and left them just three points separating between the two teams with just three minutes remaining.
Any hopes of a late Bruneian rally were dashed as confident shooting extended the Philippines’ lead to three with less than three minutes remaining.
Philippines’ in-form goal keeper enjoyed good reading of the game twice to keep Brunei out of sight from the goalpost before a good passage of play led to a goal by the former.
The Philippines’ goal keeper produced an excellent block to see out the game as the Bruneians looked to close the gap by two points.
The Royal Bees will continue their campaign against Maldives today.
