Team Philippines conceded its last game to South Korea, 5-10, on Thursday, ending its playoff hopes in the 8-nation Olympic Qualification Event at the Kelowna Curling Club in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
Kim Soo-Hyuk’s crew built a 5-2 lead after four ends and played a risky double takeout, resulting in a big score of five, to take a 10-4 lead after seven ends.
“Unfortunately, we had a tough start to the game. And then our opponents hit an incredible shot to score 5 in the 7th end. Hats off to their team for competing even with nothing to fight for,” said coach Miggy Gutierrez.
Because of the loss, Japan went on to advance to the qualification as the third seed.
This became clear, after Japan beat top finisher China, 9-6 while no. 2 seed United States pulled off a 7-3 win over Netherlands in Wednesday’s seventh and final men’s round-robin session.
With the men’s round-robin now complete, China will face second-placed United States in the first men’s play-off game.
Japan will wait for the winner in the second round, to know its chances of qualification.
“Japan won so it was a consolation prize that we wouldn’t have made the playoffs with a win,” said Gutierrez.
Team Philippines finished fourth with a 3-4 win-loss slate.
