Homecourt edge big factor for RP bowlers

There is no Paeng Nepomuceno to anchor their gold medal hunt but the crack men’s bowling team, as well as their female counterparts are more than ready to plunge into war against the expectedly tough competitions to be led by defending overall SEA Games bowling champion Malaysia.

Johnson Cheng, head coach of the Philippine bowling, said the host team’s familiarity with the lanes and intensive preparations more than make up for the absence of the lanky four-time World Cup champion who begged off from participating in the 23rd edition of the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) bowling jousts after incurring a shoulder injury in training.

"I think we have very good chances. All of them have chances (of bagging the gold medal). Our familiarity with the lanes — this is our homeground — will be a factor," Cheng said. The RP bowlers’ spirit is further buoyed up by the absence of Asian Games champion Shalin Zulkifli, who was reportedly under disciplinary action.

Cheng said that the host team has been practicing daily with their talents further honed by international competitions. "We are battle-ready," he said.

A total of 12 golds are at stake in the five-day bowlfest, which kicks off tomorrow.

The national team’s campaign in the men’s category will be bannered by old reliables, World Cup champion CJ Suarez, and Chester King, the first Filipino winner of the third Euromed-Storm International Masters tournament held on the game venue. King is also the 2002 Asian championships gold medalist, 2002 Asian trio gold medalist and double gold medalist in the 2001 Malaysia SEA Games.

The star-studded squad will also have World Cup 12th placer Tyrone Christopher Ongpauco, Ernesto Gathalian Jr. Engelberto Rivera and rookie sensation Markwin Lopez Tee.

On the distaff side, World Cup titlist Liza del Rosario will spearhead the country’s campaign along with Liza Clutario and Cecilia Yap, both vital cogs of the gold-winning World Women’s Trio; Irene Garcia, mainstay of the silver medal-winning team in 2002 Asian Games and Elaine Florencio who will be making her SEA Games debut.

"As you can see, seven of our bowlers — four from the women’s and three from the men’s - who formed the nucleus of the 2001 team are back with us," said Cheng.