Nepomuceno admits gold hunt will be tough in Kuala Lumpur

Paeng Nepomuceno

Bowling legend and national head coach Paeng Nepomuceno admitted that the Philippines’ keglers will have their work cut out for them in the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian Games which starts next week.

“Yes it’s going to be tough. But rest assured that we’ll be doing our best and I assure you that the players are ready,” Nepomuceno told the Inquirer Tuesday.

The four-time World Cup champion and inaugural Hall of Famer said the team could have used more international exposure but added that he’s happy with the preparation for the biennial event.

They saw action in the Singapore Open last June where Nepomuceno gauged the SEA Games field against the Philippine team, which is a “mix of veterans and young players.”

Liza del Rosario, the 2003 World Tenpin Championships trios champion, will lead the 12-man crew.

“We don’t want to be bothered by pressure, we will just work very hard,” added Nepomuceno, a Gold Level coach, who took on the job last year to help resurrect the sport’s golden age.

After all, according to Nepomuceno, the country has nowhere to go but up after just coming up with just two bronzes (women’s trios and women’s team of five) two years ago in Singapore.

The Philippine team is composed of Anton Jose Alcazaren, Kenneth Chua, Kevin Oliver Cu, Jomar Roland Jumapao, John Paule Macatula, Mervin Matheiu Tan in men’s division.

Del Rosario, Ma. Lourdes Arles, Dyan Arcel Coronacion, Marian Lara Posadas, Marie Alexis Sy and Krizziah Lyn Tabora will compete in the women’s category.

Forty years ago, also in Kuala Lumpur, the Philippines dominated bowling’s maiden feature in the SEA Games, winning seven gold medals and one silver in all eight events.