Busan Games true test for RP keglers

Officials of the Philippine bowling team believe the country can become a power in Asia once again.

It may be hard but it can be done. And the coming Asian Games could be the first real test.

"During the 70s and 80s, the Philippines was No. 1 in Asian bowling. I think we can be on top again especially with the young team we had right now," said Philippine Bowling Congress (PBC) secretary-general Danny Santos in the PSA Forum at the Holiday Inn Hotel yesterday, where he guested together with national coach Purvis Granger.

Four-time World Cup champion Paeng Nepomuceno, who along with Bong Coo, the late Lita dela Rosa and even now Senator Vicente Sotto were the stars of RP bowling’s golden age, is the most senior in the youthful 12-man team bound for Busan.

He also happens to be the best bet for the gold medal along with Liza del Rosario.

"I think Paeng has a chance," added Granger, noting how the 45-year-old lefty won the masters title of the Korea International Open Championships two months ago, a tournament held at the Home Plus Asiad Bowling Center, the same venue where bowling games in the Asiad will be played.

Del Rosario, on the other hand, won two golds (singles and all events) during the Asian Tenpin Championships held in Hong Kong, where the duo of Chester King and Biboy Rivera also bagged the men’s doubles.

Other than the four, also in the team are CJ Suarez, RJ Bautista, Botchok Rey, Jojo Canare, Cecilia Yap, Liza Clutario, Kaye Ann Lopez and Irene Garcia-Benitez.

A total of 10 gold medals in five events — singles, doubles, trio, five-man team and masters — are at stake in the Asiad.

Although considered as among the bright prospects to bag a gold medal, Granger said he would rather not commit on such possibility.

"We’re gonna do our best but we may surprise some people in the Asiad. The coaching staff is not predicting our chance for a gold," said the foreign coach in the same forum sponsored by Red Bull, Agfa Colors and Pioneer Insurance.

Host Korea is still the team to beat, according to Granger, although "they (Koreans) will have some pressure to deliver."

He also counts Japan and Malaysia as among the top contenders.