Art Barrientos (center) strikes gold in the boys’ masters category of the Asian Youth Championships. Australia’s Blake Walsh (extreme left) silver and bronze medalist Lee Myeongcheol of Korea. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
BANGKOK—On a fantastic roll, Team Philippines capped a great week of competition with another come-from-behind victory courtesy of Artegal Barrientos at the 21st Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships.
Barrientos seized the boys’ masters title from the continent’s finest youth keglers after toppling tournament-favorite Blake Walsh of Australia, 443-349, in the finals held at the Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl Major Ratchayothin here.
Just a few days back, Barrientos also helped the country pocket its first gold medal in the boys’ team of four since 1981 together with Zach Sales Ramin, Stephen Luke Diwa and Marc Dylan Custodio at the same tournament.
“The hunger to stand again on the medal podium has driven our team to win. Our bowlers know that the Philippine Sports Commission has been fully supporting them under a new system,’’ said PSC Commissioner Olivia”`Bong’’ Coo.
“We are more focused on the youth and the new generation of athletes,’’ added Coo, the famed bowling Hall of Famer who, in her prime, collected the most number of medals in the international arena of all time among Filipino athletes, past and present.
(From l-r) Marc Dylan Custodio, Stephen Luke Diwa, Art Barrientos, Zach Sales Ramin. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
With the twin triumphs in the masters and team of four, the Philippines outshone every opponent in the continent in the boys’ division with Korea winding up at second overall with one gold, a silver and a bronze.
Coo likewise attributed the success to the team’s coaches, including top-flight American mentor Joe Slowinski, who has a deeper knowledge on the use of equipment and innovative training system.
“Coach Joe treats each bowler differently by knowing the bowling character of every player. He’s very good at motivating our bowlers and always reminding them what to do,’’ said Coo, who also praised coach Jojo Canare for the continued progress of the women’s squad.
Canare shares the same training and motivational pattern with Slowinski in mentoring the national ladies team with coaches Rey Reyes and Orlean Batistil that guided Alexis Sy to the Philippine International Open title.
Barrientos finished third among 16 bowlers in the elimination round after rolling 3447 to clinch a spot in the stepladder medal round behind Walsh’s 3533 and Myeongcheol’s 3452. Ramin placed eighth (3310) and Custodio 12th (3197) after the preliminary phase.
Barrientos defeated Lee Myeongcheol in their single-game semis, 205-191, to earn a crack at Walsh in a pair of matches in the finale.
Walsh is the son of Australian bowling idol Cameron, whom Engelberto “Biboy’’ Rivera beat in winning the 1996 Asian Youth Championships.
The national bowlers will also compete in the Bangkok Open on July 25 and the Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games (Aimag) in November, both at the same venue here.
The trio of Oly Reformado, George Fernandez and Steward Uy won the last boys’ title in the AYC 42 years ago.