POC reinstates 12-man SEAG bowling squad

PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco Jr. has been longing for Philippine bowling to regain its glorious past.

“For many years, we’re world class. But now, we could no longer develop players on that level,” said Cojuangco after the POC executive board reinstated the national bowling team in the Philippine delegation to the 28th Southeast Asian Games.

Six-time world bowling champion Paeng Nepomuceno has put Filipinos in the global map as well as four-time world champ Bong Coo, and 1978 World Cup champ Lita Del Rosario. Arianne Cerdeña also won the gold medal when bowling was played as a demonstration sport in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.

The POC board had earlier decided to remove the 12-member bowling squad from the SEAG delegation bound for Singapore on June 5 to 16 after top officials of the Philippine Bowling Congress failed to comply with the requirements of the Olympic body.

Cojuangco said the association violated the rules and proceeded with the election of officers without the blessing of the POC.

“The coaches and players had asked for reconsideration and we’re giving them the chance,” said Cojuangco. “I told bowling officials that they have to come up with very good bowlers. World championship-caliber.”

Frederick Ong, the 2011 Palembang SEA Games singles champion, will lead the team in Singapore along with veterans Liza del Rosario and Liza Clutario under the supervision of the POC.