By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Philippine men’s and women’s national bowling teams impressed during the recently concluded International Bowling Federation (IBF) World Championships after grabbing a pair of bronze medals in Dubai.
Despite the short window of preparation time for the called-up bowling athletes of the PH delegation, both teams were still able to punch their entries to the semifinals but eventually fell.
In the semis of the women’s category, the Philippines weren’t able to handle team Malaysia, 279-188, while the men’s team had the same fate against Singapore, 247-228.
The women’s team members are Rachel Leon, Mades Arles, Uella Marcial, and Norel Nuevo while the men’s team is composed of Patrick Nuqui, Merwin Tan, Ken Chua, and Ian Dychangco.
National team head coach Biboy Rivera then expressed his happiness following team PH’s back-to-back bronze medal haul.
“It has been a long time since the Philippine Men and Ladies Teams had a medal at the World Championships. It is extra special to have won it at the same time. Bronze feels like gold!” said Rivera.
Rivera was also a former world champion and ruled the WTBA World Tenpin Bowling Championships last 2006 and was a gold medalist during the 2010 Asian Games.
