TEAM Philippines sailed through the momentum of trouncing powerhouse Thailand in the semis and went on to win an epic come-from-behind beating of Myanmar, 12-21, 21-17, 21-17, in the finals to capture the title in the 31st King’s Cup Sepak Takraw World Championship on Friday in Bangkok, Thailand.
Rheyjey Ortouste led the attacks with 35 points to propel the team for their first championship crown in the prestigious tournmanent, salvaging the win despite a slow start that kept them at bay in the first set.
“This is a historical win for us. We did the impossible. We beat Thailand and we won the title against Myanmar. We are truly blessed,” Philippine Amateur Sepak Takraw Association President Karen Caballero told the BusinessMirror.
Earlier that day, the team had an upset victory over perennial champion Thailand, 15-21, 22-20, 21-19, in the semifinals. They also beat Singapore, Australia, Taiwan and Indonesia in the elimination phase booked their ticket in the Final Four.
“We hope to get national and corporate attention that we are born and built for this sports. We can really excel in the world,” she added. “We’d need all the help we can get, like a training court for the national team to really call our own.”
Caballero was also elected as the vice president of the Asian Sepak Takraw Federation, a big boost for the local sports association and the lady sport official who led the country’s delegation in the recent Asian Beach Games in Vietnam.