JAKARTA – Frederick Ong and Jeremy Posadas made a one-two finish in men’s singles, providing Team Pilipinas a rousing start in the 26th SEA Games bowling competitions at the Jaya Ancol Bowling Center here.
Ong rolled a six-game series of 1386 while Posadas produced a total of 1365 pinfalls for the gold and silver medals in the first bowling event disputed in the Games.
“It’s really a good start and hopefully we can sustain it,” said Phl coach Jun Transporto.
Asian Games gold medalist Biboy Rivera finished sixth at 1336, Raoul Miranda joint 14th at 1273, Rogelio Enriquez 23rd at 1116 and Giancarlo Mansilungan 31st at 1122.
Malaysian Adrian Ang rallied with a last two games of 238 and 255 to grab the bronze with a total of 1359 pinfalls.
Ong was calm and composed, getting steady games of 223-234-252-206-239-232.
Posadas likewise showed cool nerves, keeping pace with Ang’s rally and going on to beat the Malaysian by six pinfalls for the silver.
The SEAG rookie rolled a solid final game of 254 to wild cheers from the Philippine gallery.
Ong, meanwhile, gained a decisive headway by the third game with a 252, and he was likewise cheered on by his teammates.
“I became quite confident after the third game,” said Ong.
“Our game plan was just to have fun. But we found ourselves having a great chance of winning, and now we’re the winner,” Ong added.
Posadas was as jubilant.
“A silver medal behind a champion teammate is definitely not bad at all,” said Jeremy, one of the three Posadas in the Phl team aside from Apol and Lara in women’s side.