PH Para-Wheelchair basketball men’s squad stuns Bahrain in Asian Youth Games

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Philippine Para-Wheelchair men’s basketball team shocked the world and upset the home bet Bahrain, 37-31, in the 2021 Under-23 Asian Youth Para Games (AYPG).

There’s nothing sweeter than a huge win against hostile territory for a team who played their first Para-Wheelchair basketball game in the U-23 category of the AYPG.

Led by Mark Aguilar, Mark Marquez, Kyle Carandag, Eljay Lamata, and Edgardo Ochaves, the team defied the odds and were spectacular against Bahrain in their opening game.

A cohesive effort from the team proved to be the difference as them being first-timers wasn’t an issue in grabbing the win.

Completing the cast of the team are Jolleniel Nebris, Andrei Kuizon, Jodriel Piol, John Carl Dedala,and Anthony de Mesa.

However, in their next game, the Philippines didn’t have enough gas and fumbled at the hands of Asian powerhouse Iran, 26-89.

The tournament proper will still run until December 6 and team PH will still have a chance to have a playoff push with games against Iraq, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia remain.

Aside from basketball, the PH Paralympic team also sent representatives for athletics, boccia, swimming, table tennis, and badminton.