Team Philippines went toe-to-toe with New Zealand but fell 6-7 in their final round-robin game at the 2025 World Junior B Curling Championships in Lohja, Finland.
After extending the match to a ninth extra end before conceding a stone, the Filipino squad finished tied for 4th in Group A and 12th overall in the tournament.
“Despite the narrow loss, the Philippine Junior Men finished the tournament in 12th place, showing clear growth, resilience, and competitiveness against established curling nations,” said Sheila Mariano.
The team, skippered by 18-year-old Dylan Skaggs from Fairbanks, Alaska, along with his brother Tyler, closed the campaign with a 2-4 win-loss record. Fourteen-year-olds Elijah Mojado of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Felix Mariano Hester of Seattle, Washington, also played key roles for the squad.
New Zealand struck first with a 2 in the second end, but the Filipinos bounced back with a 3 in the third. After several defensive ends, Team Philippines surged again with another 3 in the seventh to stay level, showing their fighting spirit until the final stone.
Meanwhile, Team USA dominated the tournament, going unbeaten in eight games after sweeping Group C. Captained by Caden Hebert, the Americans defeated Australia 8-1 in the quarterfinals and Poland 8-2 in the semifinals before turning back Switzerland 5-2 to claim the title.
