Champ Tabora back in PH after World Cup triumph

Krizziah Tabora. Photo by June Navarro

The entire time during the match, Krizziah Lyn Tabora hardly kept tabs on the running score. It was only when seasoned bowler Siti Safiyah of Malaysia hugged and congratulated her on the final frame that she knew she had made history for the country.

The 27-year-old national team mainstay arrived late Tuesday night from her recent conquest in the 53rd Qubica AMF Bowling World Cup held in Hermosillo, Mexico.

“I never thought that I would become a world champion,” said Tabora during the welcome dinner hosted by bowling and billiards patron Aristeo “Putch” Puyat at Manila Polo Club.

“There were no expectations and I just enjoyed the game and the experience.”

That pressure-free mentality gave the Philippines its eighth World Cup title and third overall in the ladies’ division following the triumphs of Lita Dela Rosa in 1978 and Bong Coo in 1979.

International bowling icon Paeng Nepomuceno won the prestigious title four times while CJ Suarez was the last Filipino champion in 2003.

“I only felt the pressure when I advanced to the top four. I wasn’t able to eat my breakfast but the reminders from my parents and (teammate) Jomar (Jumapao) helped me get over it,” said Tabora.

A national athlete since she was 14, Tabora bagged a silver medal in the recent Asian Indoor Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

Tabora pulled off an upset over four-time bowling pro tour champion Rocio Restrepo of Columbia, 249-222, in the semifinals before defeating Safiyah, a touring pro in the United States, 236-191, in the finals.