MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Underwater Hockey team will be competing in the 7th Asian Underwater Hockey Championships in Beijing, China from September 22 to 24, 2017. 

The women’s team are the defending champions of the tournament, while the men’s team is looking to bounce back from a silver medal finish in the 2015 championships. 

Ths year, the Philippine Underwater Hockey team is doing things differently, as they have gotten Austrailian coaches Rees Quilford and Amy Barry-Macaulay to reinforce the team’s preparations. 

However, the coaches are not physically present during the team’s training period which led to the compromise that they would coordinate with the team online over Facebook. 

Despite the long distance communication, the team is looking confident to bring home medals to the Philippines by relying on a mix of strong veterans and young players. 

The Women’s Elite Team is composed of team captain Chari Ongyangco, vice-captain Nadja Buenafe, Jacklyn Joyce Chua, Sheila Co, Mary Bridget Josef, JV Christabelle Lim, JV Kristine Lim, Ma. Ines Templo, Johanna Uy and Micheline Uy. 

On the other hand, the Men’s Elite team will be made up of team captain Roy Arayata, vice-captain Reynaldo Paras, Jonathan Bejar, Allan Caroche, Bryan Marco Griño, Buenjim Mariano, Eduardo Ricardo Ochoa, Jasper Parulan, Christopher Policarpio, Kevin Tan, Milo Tan and Manuel Valdez. – Rappler.com