"Officially, this event is the culmination of our 2003 campaign which, I must add, is already a best year. But we want to win here and put Philippine bowling to a good start in 2004," said Johnson Cheng, coach of the seven-member RP team hours before the start of the first round of eliminations.
Cheng is very optimistic of the RP team’s chances here, betting big on Purvis Granger, the American coach of the national bowling pool who, together with Cheng, helped the Philippines move back into the elite circle of international bowling with CJ Suarez’s win in the World Cup and the World Championship Trios gold of Liza Del Rosario, Cecilia Yap and Liza Clutario.
Granger, 39, and originally from Louisiana, is one of the heavy favorites in this event which drew the top 32 players in Asia after piling up 196 points and $8,500 in earnings after six legs.
"I’m ready. I know we have strong bowlers around but if I get good shots and maintain my focus, I’ll be okay," said Granger.
Del Rosario, who was recently adjudged Asia’s female Bowler of the Year after narrowly beating Clutario, and Yap share third place in the ladies’ division behind Shalin Zulkifli and Wendy Chai of Malaysia.
"Every member of this team is capable of winning here. The lane conditions are good, perfect for Filipino bowlers. The lanes are very high-scoring and my only worry is that it’s hot inside and the situation could go worse once the action start, what with the big crowd contributing to the moist," added Cheng.
Paolo Valdez is ranked 11th and is joined in the men’s action by Joonie Gatchalian, Chester King and Biboy Rivera, the only bowler to score a perfect game in the 2003 Aviva Asian Bowling Tour.
Round 1 commenced late Thursday with eight games in the women’s division and nine in the men’s and will continue on Friday with seven games in the women’s and eight in the men’s.
Quarterfinals will be held Saturday afternoon which will then be televised live by ESPN Sports along with Sunday’s semifinals and final.
After the Aviva Asian Bowling Tour’s Grand Finals, Granger and Cheng will coach Suarez, King and Rivera and Yap, Del Rosario and Clutario when the Filipinos open their bids in the mega-buck bowling circuit in the United States late this month.