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The men's softball team clinched a silver at the 33rd SEA Games on Dec 18. Photo: SNOC/ Eugene Goh Wei Hao
The hurt of relinquishing their SEA Games crown was still raw, but to men’s softball captain Dominic Han, these feelings of disappointment are a sign of the progress the sport has made.
Singapore settled for silver on Dec 18 after going down 3-0 in a closely-contested battle against the Philippines.
Han said: “Singapore was fighting for a bronze medal just 10 years ago and I was part of that team; we were already so happy at achieving something. We’ve since managed to close the gap and get the gold in 2019 … getting a silver now is actually disappointing when 10 years ago I would have been jumping for joy.
“I would take this situation, this sport, any day. This is probably the strongest Singapore team we’ve ever had and we lost to a better team – no shame in that.”
Singapore softball captain Dominic Han in action during the final against the Philippines. Photo: SNOC/ Eugene Goh Wei Hao
An early home run in the first inning gave the Philippines the lead at the Queen Sirikit 60th Anniversary Baseball Stadium. The Singapore side did well to hold their opponents off, but the latter scored two runs in the fourth inning to extend their advantage.
Han said: “It’s a disappointing loss, but the boys did well. Softball is a pitching-dominant game and the Philippines had a good pitcher on their team. We put up a good fight and held them very close, but unfortunately, the big inning didn’t come. But we will keep our heads up and work hard again.”
Teammate Zachar Oh did not play in the final but was overcome with emotion after the match ended, noting that these Games were the last for some of the Singapore players. The Thailand Games are extra special for the 24-year-old – his older brother Ziglar is also on the team.
“It took me many years to get this opportunity to play with my brother, and this is why it’s extra special,” he said. “He’s still my idol, and it’s very cool to play alongside your idol.”
Jeron Tan winding up for a pitch during the SEA Games final on Dec 18. Photo: SNOC/ Eugene Goh Wei Hao
Coach Koh Ruoh Jie felt the team’s results from their other games were validation that they are on the right track with training.
“Moving forward, we have to learn how to adapt and deal with these sorts of pitchers, because we know we’ll be facing him for many years to come,” he added.
The Singapore men's softball team lost 3-0 to the Philippines in the SEA Games final on Dec 18. Photo: SNOC/ Eugene Goh Wei Hao
Captain Han agreed, vowing that the Singapore side would come back stronger.
The men's softball team clinched a silver at the 33rd SEA Games on Dec 18. Photo: SNOC/ Eugene Goh Wei Hao
“In Singapore, softball is probably not the most well-known sport and not many people know about it,” he added.
“We’ve worked hard, and what we’ve achieved is incredible based on the resources that we have, the fact that we are amateurs and that we’re working adults or students. I’m confident that we will get back and continue to put up good fights against them.”
The 33rd SEA Games are held in Thailand from 9 to 20 December 2025. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.
