Brunei royals flattered as fans travel to Batangas to watch them play polo

Brunei bagged the first win in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games when they defeated the Philippines in the polo event held Sunday in Calatagan, Batangas.

The Philippine team fell short to Brunei, 8.5 to 8, thanks to a penalty goal made by Prince Bahar, one of the members of the Brunei royal family who are part of the polo team.

Also part of the team are Princess Azemah and Prince Abdul Mateen, children of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Prince Bahar is the son of the sultan's younger brother Prince Jefri.

The Brunei royals said that going against the Philippines was a tough feat. "They’re a very tough team. Individually they’re very good players," Prince Mateen said.

How does the prince feel playing with family members? "I guess on the field, we're all teammates, it doesn't matter if we're family. The trick is to treat each other as teammates," Prince Mateen said in an interview with reporters.

WATCH: Prince Mateen of Brunei says the Philippine team is tough. He’s also flattered as some fans came all the way to Calatagan to see him. #seagames2019 @gmanews pic.twitter.com/0TN930NPT5

— Mav Gonzales (@mavgonzales) November 24, 2019

Prince Mateen, a popular presence at the SEA Games, also admitted he was flattered that some Filipino fans apparently traveled all the way to Calatagan, Batangas to watch them play. "They just want some pictures and I'm flattered," he said.

While this is not Prince Mateen's first time in the Philippines to play polo, this is his first time to play in Calatagan. "It’s my first time here. Amazing field. Amazing venue," he said.

Polo action will continue on November 26. — Justin Kenneth Carandang/BM, GMA News