Rivera fails to repeat as PHL bowlers crash out of Asiad

INCHEON, South Korea -- Last Asian Games' singles gold medalist Biboy Rivera failed to duplicate his feat as the Filipino bowlers fell one after another on Tuesday at the Anyang Hogye Gymnasium, an hour drive from this industrial city.

Rivera only managed to land at 55th spot finishing with 1158 pinfalls, 161 behind from eventual champion Larp Apharat Yannaphon of Thailand. The former world champion was bothered by his previous knee injury, which sidelined him for most part of 2013.

Frederick Ong was the highest finisher for the Phl bowlers at 18th place as he failed to sustain his hot start. Ong had a tournament-best 268 pinfalls in the first game and was still leading through the second round until he started to slide down the standings in the third frame. He tallied a total of 1228 to lead all Filipino bowlers.

Enrico Lorenzo Hernandez landed at 23rd spot with 1215 pinfalls while Benhir Layoso scored 1160 to finish at 54th place, one notch higher than Rivera.

Jo Mar Roland Jumapao rounded up the Phl team's singles campaign with 1098 to finish 76th overall out of 103 bowlers.

But all is not lost for the Filipino bowlers as there will still be the doubles competition on Thursday.

The women's team will try to avert a shutout in the singles competition Wednesday in the same venue.

Meanwhile, Asian Games bowling technical delegation head Dante Arnold Santos said that the Asian Games Federation is lobbying to have the sport included by 2024 Summer Olympics.

"We are in good standing as far as in the Asian Games. We've been lobbying to have bowling included in the Olympic calendar and this will give Filipinos greater chance of finally winning a gold medal in the Olympics," said Santos, who is the lone Filipino in the Asian Bowling Federation.

Bowling is one of the top sports  Filipinos have excelled in producing world bowling champions led by Hall of Fame Paeng Nepomuceno, Rivera and Liza del Rosario.