(From l-r) Marc Dylan Custodio, Stephen Luke Diwa, Art Barrientos, Zach Sales Ramin after winning in the 21st Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships in Bangkok, Thailand. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines-Team Philippines clinched the gold medal by pulling off a come-from-behind victory in the finals of the boys team of four event at the 21st Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships in Bangkok, Thailand.
Zach Sales Ramin, Artegal Barrientos, Stephen Luke Diwa and Marc Dylan Custodio accomplished the historic feat after defeating South Korea, 4933-4922, marking the first time that the country ruled the category in the continental youth meet since 1981.
Trailing by 209 pins after two games, the quartet of Ramin, Barrientos, Diwa and Custodio chopped the lead of Baek Seungmin, Park Soowan, Lee Myeongcheol and Baek Seungwoo over the next three games before saving their best for last.
In the final match of their six-game encounter, the Filipinos compiled 943 pinfalls against the Koreans’ 826 in a stunning reversal that secured them the gold.
“Winning the gold medal is a testament to our team’s unwavering spirit and belief in ourselves,” said Custodio after scoring a total of 1329 pinfalls.
“We never gave up, even when the odds seemed against us. This victory is a testament to our resilience and the countless hours of training we put in to achieve this dream,” added Custodio.
Barrientos put together 1321, Ramin assembled 1176 and Diwa added 1107 in an astonishing turn of events where Team Philippines outperformed the rest of the 16 other countries which entered their finest young bowlers.
“Although I felt confident about our team, I knew that the competition was going to be very tough. The powerhouse bowling countries of Korea, Singapore and Malaysia always show up in these competitions, so we needed to be in our A-game if we want to win,” said Ramin.
The 17-year-old Singapore-based Ramin came fresh from blazing the trail as the first male Filipino bowler to capture the 53rd Singapore International Open title last month.
Only three Filipinos won the fabled Singapore International Open with legendary Hall of Fame bowler and now Commissioner Olivia “Bong” Coo of the Philippine Sports Commission winning it twice in 1972 and 1973 while Cecile Yap and Liza del Rosario bagged the women’s plum in 2000 and 2004.
“I feel proud to be representing the Philippines in this competition. Here in the Asian Youth Championships, I am competing with a team, carrying our Philippine flag,” said Ramin.
“To represent our country is both a privilege and a responsibility so I made sure I am prepared for the competition through intensive practice immediately after winning the Singapore Open,” he added.
Thailand’s Nutavat Rasisetkun, Pakaphol Kulkarineethum, Sasitha Kaewklom and Vilinkorn Kiedkaew compiled 4918 pinfalls and placed third while Singapore’s Joshua Soo, Ryan Toh, Aiman Lim and Mike Ong managed to pool 4905 to finish fourth.
It was the trio of Oly Reformado, George Fernandez and Steward Uy who won the same title 42 years ago.
With the team’s success, Barrientos, Custodio and Ramin qualified to the prestigious Masters event on Tuesday and Wednesday.