VIENTIANE, Laos — For the third time in a row, the Philippines came up short in its bid to unseat Singapore in water polo in the 25th Southeast Asian Games.

The Nationals settled for the silver medal after beating Indonesia, 13-8, Monday, but would need to go back to the drawing board to review their programs.

“Just when we thought that we were narrowing the gap between us, Singapore beat us, 8-1. Tumaas pa ang level nila,” conceded national coach Reynaldo  Galang who revamped his team with the addition of six new players this year.

Galang said he did not expect his players to lose badly against the Singaporeans.

“We’ve been losing to them by one, two goals at most. But we have to give them credit. They have improved a lot,” he said.

Singapore coach Lee Sai Meng said the Philippines needs to broaden the base of talents.

“They have to increase the number of players to choose from. They need to promote the sport,” Lee advised.

Lee said that Singapore, a country with a population of less than five million, has a base of 200 players in water polo, 50 of which can be tapped for overseas competition.

Galang agreed with Lee’s observation.

“In Singapore, they have boys playing water polo at the age of 13,” Galang said.

In the absence of local tournaments, Galang said it’s hard to recruit swimmers to join water polo.

“Siyempre, they have to be swimmers to be able to join water polo,” he said.

An ideal water polo player should stand at least 5-10, according to Galang.

“Size matters. Speed, too,” he said.

Daniel Coakley, tall, fast and built like a tank, is a good candidate for the water polo team, but the national swimming team needs him.

Coakley said he plays water polo in Hawaii. “I’m good at it,” he said.

National coach Pinky Brosas said it is not uncommon for swimmers to play water polo.

“In the United States, top swimmers play water polo in the off-season to keep them in shape,” Brosas said.

But when told that Coakley would be a good addition to the team, Brosas retreated: “Huwag muna. Pag 40 na siya, puwede.”

Such is a dilemma facing water polo.