INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines – Budget constraints are preventing the national bowling team from joining more international tournaments, thus gaining needed exposure, according to bowler Raoul Miranda.

Miranda recently captured the Open Masters crown in the 38th RP Open Tenpin bowling championships.

“There’s not enough budget so we are not able to join as much international tournaments,” said Miranda, a member of the national team since 2007.

Miranda revealed that family and friends – even “friends of their friends”, according to him- contribute so that players can have enough to spend when competing abroad.

“We get support from the private sector like the Philippine Bowling Congress and even from anonymous sponsors, but when that is not enough, we athletes get sponsors ourselves,” he said.

Miranda, who manages a small business of his own, hopes that bowling will be given more attention since it is a sport that does not have an age limit.

“This sport has give the country a lot of medals so I’m hoping we get more support for the athletes,” he said.

Influenced by his mother who is an avid bowler, Miranda decided to give tenpin bowling a chance about ten years ago.

“I wish I could’ve started at an earlier age so I would’ve accumulated more experience,” the 36 year-old father of three said. “Bowling is a mental game. When I’m holding the ball, I just keep quiet and concentrate.”

The ability to concentrate well is what he considers his strength against his twice-to-beat opponent Tim Mack in the Open finals.

“I didn’t pass up on my chances and I really gave it my all,” Miranda recalled.

Being a late-bloomer in bowling, Miranda is all praises when talking about local legend Paeng Nepomuceno.

“It’s difficult to follow his footsteps. I just do my best to contribute in making our country proud,” said Miranda.

Miranda has competed in the Asian Indoor Southeast Asian Games, 2008 Asian Championship in Hong Kong (bronze medalist), World Men’s Bowling Championship, and in the recent 38th RP Open Tenpin Bowling Championship.

Miranda and the rest of the national team are currently practicing everyday in preparation for future tournaments including the Asian Indoor Games in Vietnam, Asian Games in China, World Men’s Championship in Germany, and Asian Championship in Dubai.