(The Web Manager apologizes for this late posting due to downed internet service at site)

Kuala Lumpur 1910 hrs. - When two great warriors collide, they do not immediately draw swords and launch frantic attacks at each other. But instead, they size each other up carefully calculating each other strengths, weaknesses, respecting each others capabilities. Such was the scene of the first quarter when the two first day winners met on court to do battle. The RP youth team struggled to maintain a vulnerable 6 point lead throughout the quarter only to see that lead decay as they lost the quarter by 1 point 20-21.

Tension filled the air as even the usually boisterous Filipino OFW crowd, there to support their home team anew, spoke in whispers with only a sporadic “GO PHILIPPINES!” breaking the silence from time to time. But this situation did not last long as coach Franz Pumaren gathered his troop to make fine tuning adjustments during the break. “You are the better team” Pumaren was heard telling his wards. “You are better trained, better conditioned. You are more talented. But your Thai opponents are playing with a bigger heart right now! They are playing like they want this more than you do!”