'No shame' as softballers lose to Filipinos

Back in 2015, a bronze medal at the SEA Games was enough to make the Singapore men's softball team feel overjoyed.

- Melvyn Teoh

But, having raised the bar by winning the gold in 2019 in the Philippines — where they upset the regional powerhouses and hosts 6-1 in the final - a silver at the 2025 Games in Thailand has now brought disappointment. The sport did not feature in the 2021 and 2023 editions.

After losing 3-0 to the Philippines in the final in Pathum Thani on Dec 18, Singapore captain Dominic Han mused over how they would have reacted to a silver 10 years ago.

The 32-year-old said: "I was part of that team in 2015 and when we got a bronze, we were already so happy and felt that we have achieved something.

"I think that's the irony of life, right? Ten years ago, we were so happy when we got the bronze and now a silver is actually disappointing.

"If I had a silver 10 years ago, I would be jumping with joy, so I will take this situation any day...

"This is probably the strongest Singapore team that we have ever had and we lost to a better team. No shame about that."

Singapore had beaten the Filipinos 7-3 in the preliminary stage on Dec 17.