By MARK REY MONTEJO
The Philippines came up short of a podium finish in the 9th Asian Winter Games after Fil-Swiss Marc Pfister and Fil-Am Kathleen Dubberstein bowed to host China, 6-5, in the battle for bronze medal in the mixed doubles event in curling on Saturday, Feb. 8.
The Nationals set the tone early, taking a commanding 4-0 lead after two ends — thanks to a three-point output on the second end — before the Chinese pair of Han Yu and Wang Zhiyu woke up and delivered the telling blows.
Han and Wang regained their rhythm on the third end and controlled the next four ends for a 6-4 lead, but Pfister and Dubberstein made some last-gasp efforts by scoring a point on the eighth end. But they ran out of time.
Still, it was an impressive showing for Pfister and Dubberstein, who opened their campaign by a stunning fancied South Korea, 12-6, at the start of the group stage, before routing Kyrgyzstan, 10-2, and Qatar, 11-3. They bowed to China, 9-6, but managed to advance to the knockout stage where they toppled Chinese Taipei, 7-2, before ultimately bowing to Japan, 10-3, in the semifinals.
Japan’s Tori Koana and Aoki Go, meanwhile, captured the gold medal with a close 7-6 victory over South Korea’s Kim Kyeongae and Seong Jihoon.
Despite coming up short of a medal, Pfister and Dubberstein still have their chances to deliver for Team PH when they join the men’s and women’s squads, respectively, in the team event starting on Sunday, Feb. 9.
Meanwhile, skater Fil-American Peter Groseclose failed to qualify in the men’s 1500m final and 500m semifinal of the Short Track speed skating events.
The 17-year-old ace clocked 2 minutes and 32.6 seconds – just a hairline slower to fourth placer and final B qualifier Japan’s Shaito Sun (2:32.006) – and wound up as sixth in the 1500m semifinal 1.
In the 500m quarters 3, Groseclose ended up third after timing 42.33 seconds behind semifinalists China’s Xiaojun Lin (41.325) and Kazakhtan’s Abzai Azhgaliyev (41.876).
The Tarzana, California native will have his last shot in the men’s 1000m quarters this Sunday.
