MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine Bowling Federation has set a modest target in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games with Filipino legend Bong Coo saying that the national team “will surely give the other teams a good fight.”
Coo, who won six gold medals in the 1981 edition which the country hosted, said that veterans Liza del Rosario and Frederick Ong will carry the much of the fight with teenager Merwin Tan the likely surprise package.
“We’re not promising anything but we will surely give the other teams a good fight,” said Coo, the 1979 women’s Bowling World Cup champion. “What we have is a solid and fighting team capable of winning at least two gold medals.”
Ong was the last Filipino bowler to win a SEA Games gold medal after ruling the men’s singles event in 2011 in Indonesia, while Del Rosario is a seasoned competitor, with more the two decades of international experience under her belt.
Tan, meanwhile, is the Asian youth champion and the 19-year-old is expected to put on a strong performance in the regional games.
Coo added that playing at Coronado Lanes inside Starmall Edsa-Shaw won’t be a factor in the Games despite the venue being the team’s de-facto home court.
“Bowling is an immeasurable sport, a lot of factors would be in play once the tournament starts,” said Coo.
“Playing at home could even be a disadvantage as players tend to get conscious and nervous. But our team is ready. They have trained hard and long enough to brush off distractions and focus on winning the gold.”