PH bowlers right on track
The accomplishment of the bowling national team in the recent 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) is an indication that the sport is on the right track when it comes to international competitions.
Former world champion Paeng Nepomuceno, now head coach of the national team, said the two silver medals bowling produced in the AIMAG was a good starting point to prepare the keglers for two international tournaments this year.
“Now our focus is on the world stage because we’re back playing in the worlds,” Nepomuceno said.
Jo-Mar Jumapao and Krizziah Tabora, the reigning men’s and women’s national champions, will represent the Philippines in the Bowling World Cup on Nov. 4 to 12 in Hermosillo, Mexico.
After that, the two will join other members of the national team as the country competes in the prestigious Bowling World Championships slated Nov. 24 to Dec. 4 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
According to the 60-year-old Nepomuceno, the men’s and women’s national team earned spots to the world championships following an impressive stint in the recent Asian Zonal qualifier in Hong Kong.
Also with Jumapao in the men’s team are Kenneth Chua, Anton Jose Alcazaren and Ivan Dominic Malig, while Tabora will team up Marie Alexis Sy, Marian Lara Posadas and Maria Liza del Rosario in the women’s side.
In the last AIMAG, the 25year-old Chua earned a silver medal in the singles competition, while the women’s squad claimed a silver medal after finishing second behind reigning world champion South Korea.
Lessons were learned in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, said Nepomuceno.