By Nick Giongco
The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) yesterday lauded the leadership of the Philippine Bowling Federation (PBF) headed by Steve Robles as the second PBF International Open Championships got off the ground at the Coronado Lanes in Starmall-Mandaluyong.
“This is a very strong group of leaders. They have one mission and one goal,” said POC president Ricky Vargas, noting that the PBF boasts of the most recognizable names in the bowling industry.
“They want to bring back the glory days of bowling,” added Vargas, stressing that the involvement of Sen. Tito Sotto is testament to the PBF’s credibility.
Vargas had classified bowling as a high-profile sport which has what it takes to win big internationally.
Robles is upbeat that the POC’s expectations to win in the 2018 Asian Games will be met given the cast tapped to help the bowlers get ready.
The PBF has four-time World Cup champion Paeng Nepomuceno as head coach of the national team while former World Cup titleholder Bong Coo is its secretary general. Other members of the coachinbg staff include former champions Biboy Rivera, Jojo Canare and Rey Reyes.
The opening of the event also coincided with the official announcement of the composition of the national men and women’s squads.
The men’s side will be composed of Kenneth Chua, Enzo Hernandez, Raoul Miranda, Kevin Cu, Anton Alcazaren, Jomar Jumapao, Merwin Tan and Kenzo Umali. Aside from Tabora, making up the women’s team are Lara Posadas, Liza del Rosario, Alexis Sy, Rachelle Leon, Mades Arles, Bea Hernandez and Dyan Coronacion.
