Rookie members of the RP water polo team show enthusiasm as they prepare for a match against Thailand in the Southeast Asian Games. (Photo by ALBERT GARCIA)

VIENTIANE, Laos — Four days before the start of the 25th Southeast Games, the national water polo team plunges into action against Thailand on Saturday at the indoor pool of the National Stadium.

Silver medalists in the last two staging of the Games, the Filipinos are hoping to end the 28-year reign of Singapore.

The last-minute withdrawal of Vietnam has reduced the field to four teams, making the 2:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. in Manila) match against the Thais a must-win for the Filipinos.

The top finisher after the single round robin event will be declared champion.

Singapore, undefeated since 1981, takes on Indonesia at 1 p.m.

Thailand edged the Philippines by a single goal in their most recent outing last September during a four-team goodwill series in Singapore.

But the Filipinos, despite six new faces in the lineup, are confident of getting back at the Thais.

Two years ago in Korat, Thailand, the Filipinos and the Thais battled to a draw.

The Filipinos arrived in the Laos capital last Tuesday and had completed two days of practice.

Louie Mangahis, the team manager, arrived Thursday just in time to attend the Filipinos’ final practice prior to their match with the Thais.

“We have a relatively young team with the addition of six players under 20. How they handle the pressure would be crucial,” he said.

Dale Evangelista, who at 32 is the most senior member of the team, will lead the team along with carryovers Tani Gomez, Sherwin dela Paz, Almax Laurel, Norton Alamara, Frazier Alamara, and Dexter Alamara.

The rookies are Juan Teofilo Abejo, Ronald Alejo Guiriba, Evan Grabador, Miguel Carandang, Eloid Evangelista, and Kristofer Roi dela Cruz.

The Filipinos came close to dethroning Singapore two years ago and battled the perennial champion to two close matches in tuneup matches this year.

“We have now lost our last three matches against Singapore by a difference of one goal,” Mangahis pointed out.

Last May, the Filipinos finished fourth in a field of 12 teams during a tournament organized by the World Swimming Federation (FINA) in Kuwait.

Mangahis is hoping that a gold medal finish would spur the growth of the sport at home.

“It is hard to promote water polo because of the immense popularity of basketball but if we can show that we can compete at a high level, maybe the people can give us a second look,” said Mangahis, a trader by profession.

In the absence of water polo competitions in the Philippines, the national team draws its members from a pool of 30 players who practice four hours daily at the Rizal Memorial pool.

After the game against the Thais, the Filipinos go up against Singapore on Sunday before wrapping up their campaign against the Indonesians on Monday.

The opening ceremonies of the Games will be held Wednesday.

Filipino athletes, numbering close to 250, will arrive Sunday aboard two chartered planes.

Meanwhile, the football event got under way Wednesday with favorites Thailand and Vietnam battling to a 1-all draw.

The Thais appeared to be cruising to victory until an infraction inside the penalty box in the closing minutes allowed the Vietnamese to score on a free kick.

The other game ended in an 11-0 rout by Malaysia over Timor Leste.

The Philippines and Brunei did not field teams in football.