Yee Chun Leong
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
THE national netball team missed out on a podium finish for the first time after losing all of their matches at the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand.
Brunei had managed to take home bronze medals in the last three editions where the sport was contested since they made their debut.
They took the joint-bronze in 2015 (Singapore), 2017 (Malaysia) and 2019 (The Philippines).
They made their return this year as netball was not contested in the last two editions of the SEA Games in Vietnam and Cambodia respectively.
The Royal Bees began their campaign with a 73-37 defeat at the hands of the Thailand on December 12 at the Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.
They then fell 75-33 to defending champions Malaysia the next day.
In the battle for a podium finish, the Sultanate slipped to a heartbreaking 51-48 loss to the Philippines on December 15.
Brunei had led most of the way and by as many as seven points at the end of the first frame.
It was in the decisive quarter that the Filipinos rallied to outscore their opponents 16-10 to grab the vital win.
Brunei ended their campaign with an 89-23 defeat against Singapore.
Malaysia successfully defended their title in the five-countey competition with a 52-49 victory over Malaysia in the final on Wednesday.
