KRISTEL SATUMBAGA

The Philippines is sending four teams to compete in the Asian Junior Tenpin Bowling Championships scheduled on Aug. 14 to 20 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Boys Team 1 is composed of Singapore-based bowlers Stephen Luke Diwa and Zach Ramin, as well as Justin Dinham and Kurt Anthony Capellan, while Team 2 comprises John Raphael Besana, Sydmond Juillie Vista, Kiel Andrey Barbosa and Christian Trespicio.

Comprising Team 1 of the girls crew are Michaela Jayne Gutierrez, Grace Ann Hernandez, Kassandra Denise Yap and Juliane Chelsea Santos while in Team 2 are Kysha Nicole Agujo, Antonette Garcia, Nomie Juayne Rosario and Tracey Carlyn Tan for Team 2.

Team coach Biboy Rivera is optimistic of the team’s chances in the meet and it’s good for their development, saying that this serves as a good exposure for the youth squad.

Other coaches accompanying the team are Josephine Canare, Chris Batson, Billy Lopue and Ariel Yelo.

“Joining this tournament is something that they could start on and something that could boost their confidence when they aim for slots in the national pool. I’m excited for them,” Rivera said in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum held online.

A total of 13 nations are competing in the tournament that is being held for the first time since it was stopped in 2019 due to the pandemic.

The tournament is reserved for bowlers aged 18 years and below.

 It will provide the young Filipino bowlers the needed exposure as they ride the momentum of the country’s success in the Hanoi SEA Games last May.

The Philippines ended an 11-year gold medal drought in the SEA Games by winning the gold in men’s singles and team of four, and women’s singles.

Also gracing the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation (SMC), MILO, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Amelie Hotel Manila, Unilever, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) were Ramin and Diwa.

 “I’m very excited and honored,” said Ramin, who is based in Singapore. He added that he’d been training three days a week for the competition that drew 13 countries, including Singapore, Malaysia and Japan.