His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council and Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah with the Royal Bees. PHOTO: INFOFOTO
Brunei Darussalam’s national netball team’s bid of winning a third consecutive bronze at the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Manila, Philippines came under threat after they fell to a 63-28 defeat to Thailand at the Sta Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna, Philippines yesterday.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council watched the match. The Royal Bees were led by team captain Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah.
Singapore and Malaysia are netballing giants in the region and are huge favourites to contest the netball final on December 2.
Thailand emerged favourites to take one of the top four berths with a victory against Philippines today enough to secure their place in the knock-out stage and a guaranteed bronze.
A Thailand win will leave Brunei and Philippines to battle it out for the other bronze medal.
Thailand started the first quarter strongly with a 15-5 lead before pulling away with a 31-14 lead in the second quarter.
In the third quarter, Thailand continued their momentum with a 45-22 lead and restricted Brunei to just six points in the fourth quarter to secure a comfortable win.
The Royal Bees will play Singapore, who competed in the World Cup in Liverpool earlier this year, and defending champions Malaysia before concluding the preliminary round against hosts Philippines.
The top four teams will play in the knock-out stage on December 1 for a place in the final.
Meanwhile, Malaysia recorded their second successive win in the preliminary round after an emphatic 88-25 victory over Philippines.
