President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Philippine Sports Commission on Monday congratulated the Philippine men’s ice hockey team for winning gold at the 2023 IIHF World Championship Division IV in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The Chief Executive and PSC praised the team on social media after the Filipinos won three games for the first time, including one in overtime, in the overseas competition from 23 to 26 March.

“Our warmest congratulations go out to the Philippine men’s ice hockey team and Hockey Philippines for their outstanding performance in the International Ice Hockey Federation Divisional World Championship,” Marcos said on Twitter.

“This triumph is a testament to their skill and perseverance, and we are honored to celebrate their success,” he said.

In a separate post, PSC also praised the national team for winning the competition.

“Congratulations, Philippine men’s ice hockey team, for winning the gold medal at the 2023 IIHF World Championship Division IV in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia! The men’s ice hockey team went undefeated the entire tournament winning against Indonesia, host Mongolia, and Kuwait,” the PSC said.

Three tournament wins gave the Philippines eight points during the competition. All division teams have lost at least once. 

The Philippine team also won with 35 goals and a +29 goal difference. 

Hockey Philippines announced on Facebook that Finnish head coach Juhani Ijäs coached the national team. 

The team’s forwards include Patrick Daniel Abis, Mikel Sean Miller, Manvil Billones, Carl Michael Montano, Jorell Crisostomo, Jan Aro Regencia, John Steven Füglister, Miguel Alfonso Relampagos, John Glenn Lagleva, Kenwrick Sze, Lenard Rigel Lancero II, and Carlo Angelo Tigaronita. 

Einzenn Ham, Carlo Pastrana, Julius Frederick Santiago, Eishner Jigsmac Sibug, Jann Gerey So Tiong, and Carlo Martin Tenedero also served as the defenders. 

The goaltenders include Gianpetro Iseppi and Paolo Spafford.