SINGAPORE — The Republic may be gunning for a top-three finish in this week’s 3rd Asian Water Polo Cup, which begins today at the Toa Payoh Swimming Complex. However, even if they do achieve their goal, national coach Lee Sai Ming will not be able to use the performances to gauge how well his men will do at this December’s Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar.

According to the 36-year-old, this is because the tournament will not be applying the recent modifications to the sport’s rules, which were passed at world governing body FINA’s Congress in Barcelona in July.

“It will be difficult, and even tricky, to use this meet to see where we are in our preparations for the SEA Games,” said Lee, who is plotting to win Singapore’s 25th consecutive SEA Games title.

“There are only about two months for us to get used to the new rules, and, with this tournament not using the new rules, there will be less time and opportunity for us to do so.”

The new rules are aimed at tempering the sport’s physical nature. Apart from making two-handed tackles illegal, the changes also include not allowing players to tackle opponents in their half.

Lee believes, however, that this week’s tournament presents a valuable opportunity for Singapore to test themselves against some of Asia’s best.

The other teams in the men’s round-robin competition are Kuwait, regarded as a continental powerhouse, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Iran. China are also competing but the Asian giant are represented by their youth team, who finished fourth in last week’s Asian Youth Water Polo Championships.

“Kuwait will be our biggest threat, while Iran are an unknown as they have been out of the water polo scene for a long time,” he said. “And although China are are very good, we believe we have a chance against their youth side.”

Singapore will be without wingers Paul Tan (wrist injury) and Chiam Kun Yang (exams) for their first game against the Philippines tonight, although Sean Ang, 17, part of the Singapore side which finished seventh in the 3rd Asian Youth Water Polo Championships, could feature.

Singapore will also be in action tonight against China in the women’s competition, which also features the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

The overall champion qualifies for next year’s Women’s Water Polo World Cup in Russia (Aug 12-17), while the men’s winner must wait till early next year to find out if an available slot opens up for the Men’s Water Polo World Cup in Kazakhstan (Aug 19-24). Tan Yo-Hinn