DESPITE training restrictions and severe lack of international exposure due to the pandemic, Filipino keglers are out to break an 11-year gold medal drought when they compete in the 31st Vietnam Southeast Asian Games bowling tournament rolling off on May 16 in Hanoi.
“We are going for gold, although we are practically begging for God’s grace since our team has sorely lacked training with the bowling centers closed for practically two years due to the pandemic,” Philippine Bowling Federation secretary general Bong Coo said.
Once considered a powerhouse in the region, the Pinoy bets could only muster one silver and one bronze in the men’s and women’s team events, respectively, in the 2019 SEA Games at the AMF Puyat Bowling Center in Mandaluyong.
The Mandaluyong venue would have been the national team’s regular training facility but was practically off limits for two years because of the off-and-on lockdowns in the metropolis due to the COVID-19 surges.
A former national team standout, Coo said it was only last March when the nationals were finally able to play and practice regularly at the bowling center.
She said that their traditional bowling rivals Malaysia and Singapore were still able to train regularly amid the virus crisis because they had their own bowling center.
“Mahirap talaga and situation namin but we are still praying that we can finally get the gold,” said Coo, recalling that Frederick Ong bagged the country’s last gold in the SEA Games by ruling the men’s singles event in the 2011 Indonesia Games in Jakarta.
She also cited the lack of international exposure of the national standard-bearers, whose one and only overseas tournament last year was the IBF Super World Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates last November.
They made the most of that opportunity by ending a 15-year dry spell in the prestigious competition, capturing bronze medals in the men’s and women’s team events.
Coo said bowling action in the Vietnam Games start on May 16 in Hanoi.
Making up the men’s squad are Merwin Tan, Patrick Nuqui, Ian Dychangco, who were also members of the PH squad in Dubai, while the distaff side is composed of veteran Lara Posadas Wong, Rachelle Leon, Mades Arles and Alexis Sy.
