The Philippine Women’s National Ice Hockey team is making waves and has finally grabbed a silverware for its efforts.
After taking bronze in its initial foray in the IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia Division 1 last year, the Nationals completed a sweep of the 2019 edition en route to its first championship at the Abu Dhabi Arena in the United Arab Emirates, early Saturday morning here in the Philippines.
The Filipinas opened the tournament with a huge 15-0 rout over Kuwait before following it up with a 5-0 shut out of India — their second win over the South Asian nation in two years. The 2-0 slate set up the Philippines to a virtual gold medal match against the hosts UAE.
In that final round robin match, both squads had their fair share of chances, but it was the Philippines which came up with the opening goal.
Last year’s Most Valuable Player Bianca Cuevas turned in the go-ahead point just 57 seconds from the initial faceoff, capitalizing on an early penalty on the Emiratis. Kyla Herbolario found the hotshot forward unmarked and sent it to the former for the early lead.
The hosts answered back and piled up the pressure, only Philippine goalie Rosalyn Lim remained unperturbed, saving seven shots that went by her guard.
The Nationals doubled the lead in the second period as Danielle Imperial slotted the puck past UAE tender Fatima Karashi seconds away from the end of the frame. Defender Shaden Joy Ganac provided the pass that the Carabaos’ forward netted, putting the country up 2-0 before the pay-off period.
The UAE side finally breached the Filipinas’ defense as Khulood Shugaa sent the puck to Dana Alhosani who put it at the back of the net past Lim to cut the deficit to 1-2.
That turned out to be the last time the puck meets the goal netting as a few seconds later, the final alarm sounded, signaling the end of the match and the victory for the Philippines.
Cuevas was adjudged the Best Forward of the tournament. The squad, after having won the competition, can take their mettle in the Top Division of the CCOA for next year.
