Filipino bowler wins country's first Asiad gold
Just a day after boxer Manny Pacquiao's sensational victory over Mexican Antonio Margarito, Filipino fans were celebrating again as Engelberto "Biboy" Rivera bagged the men's singles gold medal in the
bowling competition of the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games on Monday.
Rivera, who placed third in this year's FIQ World Cup, topped Squad A and held on to his lead to secure his country's first gold medal in the quadrennial multi-sport meet.
The former World Masters champion scored 1414 pinfalls, which was still the best score after the second batch of bowlers finished their games at the Tianhe Bowling Hall.
"I'm very happy to win a gold in the competition," said the Filipino, who downed 265 pins in the sixth and final game. He also posted scores of 256 196 233 225 and 239 for an average of 235.7.
Rivera, who finished fourth in the same event at the 2002 Busan Games, was actually in the athlete's lounge awaiting for the Squad B competition to finish when he learned of his victory.
His win was made official when Squad B topnotcher Mohammed Alrgeebah of Kuwait could only come up with a final score of 1404.
Another Filipino Frederick Ong finished second to Mohamad in Squad B with 1390, which was enough to win the bronze.
Among the bowlers in the elite field were former world champion and 2002 singles gold medallist Remy Ong of Singapore and defending champion Ryan Lalisang of Indonesia.
The 1-3 finish came as a breakthrough for Filipino bowlers, who failed to win a medal at the Doha Asian Games four years ago. The duo’s feat added to the two bronze medals won by the country in dancesports
on Sunday, allowing the Philippines to move up in the overall medal standings
National bowling team coach Jojo Cañare said she advised Rivera to be more relaxed and don't think too much about winning a gold. She added that the other members of the squad are in high spirits after
Rivera's triumph.
Cañare also thanked local officials for allowing them to bring extra balls to the competition as there is a big difference between the lanes in Guangzhou and their practice facility back home.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojaungco watched the event live along with Philippine Sports Commission chairman Ritchie Garcia.
Meanwhile, the bowling competition will resume tomorrow with medals at stake in the women’s singles. Other bowling events that will be contested are the doubles, trios, team of five, and masters in both
the men’s and women’s categories.
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