DESPITE their short preparation, Filipino bowlers snapped a 15-year dry spell by bagging bronze medals in the men’s and women’s team events of the International Bowling Federation Super World Championships at the Dubai 2020 Expo over the weekend.
Playing in an outdoor two-lane venue custom made for the Dubai exposition, the quartet of Kenneth Chua, Patrick Nuqui, Merwin Tan and Ian Dychangco suffered a close 247-228 loss to Singapore in the semifinals to settle for the bronze after a tough grind through the eliminations and quarterfinals.
The team of Rachelle Leon, Mades Arles, Norel Nuevo and Dubai-based Uella Marcial finished eighth overall in the eliminations but beat Colombia in the quarterfinals before absorbing a 188-279 setback in the semis against Malaysia and also pocketed the bronze.
The medals were the first for the national keglers in the prestigious competition since Biboy Rivera, now the national men’s coach, ruled the men’s masters’ event in the 2006 world championships in Busan, South Korea.
Philippine Bowling Federation secretary general Bong Coo paid tribute to the gallant stand of the nationals, who barely had a month’s actual training before plunging into action.
“With the short training of barely a month before leaving for Dubai during the pandemic, I thank God for the bronze medals won by our men’s and women’s teams. I could not ask for more. I am proud how they gave their all,” Coo said. “Simula na ito ng pagbabalik ng bowling!”
She also thanked Senate President Tito Sotto, the PBF chairman; the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee and Puyat Sports, which gave access to its bowling center at the Starmall in Mandaluyong, for their support of the national team’s campaign.
A multi-titled world bowling champion, Coo also credited national coaches Rivera, Jojo Canare and Rey Reyes in keeping the national campaigners focused and competitive in Dubai.
“We salute our bowlers for having done well even though they have not competed in two years since the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. Our bowlers fought hard to give honor to our country despite the odds they faced before and during the competition,” Coo said.
She said the bowlers competed in front of an outdoor gallery on a hot and humid afternoon that left them perspiring, making it more difficult to handle the bowling balls.
