POOLED REPORT
INCHEON, South Korea. – Shut out of a podium finish in the singles events, Pinoy bowlers continued to struggle on Thursday, hardly helping the country’s chase for a breakthrough gold medal halfway through the 17th Asian Games here.
Veteran Frederick Ong and rookie Enrico Lorenzo Hernandez emerged as the best-placed local tandem after morning play in men’s doubles at the Anyang Hogye Gymnasium, shooting 1218 and 1131, respectively, for a 2349 total, good for eighth place, 153 pins behind the leading Japanese duo.
Yoshida Daisuke shot 1283 pinfalls in six games while Sasaki Tomoyuki added 1219 for a combined 2502 total and the provisional lead going into the afternoon session where the local tandem of former world champion Biboy Rivera and rookie Kenneth Chua is set to play.
The other Pinoy tandem of Benshir Layoso and rookie Jo Mar Jumapao combined for 2169 pinfalls, good for 19th place after the morning session.
Thailand and Chinese-Taipei have grabbed the first two gold medals up for grabs in men’s and women’s singles, respectively, with 10 more gilds at stake in doubles, trios, team of five, all events, and Masters.
Former Asian champion Larp Apharat gave Thailand its first gold medal by ruling the men’s singles event with a 1390 total in six games for a 219.83 average, handily beating Du Jianchao of China (1300) and Thai teammate Sithipol Kunakson (1299).
Chou Chia Chen of Chinese-Taipei topped the women’s singles with 1291 pinfalls in six games, with Jazreel Tan of Singapore and Lee Nayoung of Korea winning the silver and bronze medals with pinfalls of 1277 and 1272, respectively.
Ong emerged as the best Pinoy finisher in men’s singles with 1228 pinfalls, followed by Lorenzo (1215), Chua (1171), Layoso (1160), Rivera (1158), and Jumapao (1098).
Marian Lara Posadas shot 1158 pinfalls in women’s singles, while Liza del Rosario had 1150. Rounding out the team are Marie Alexis Sy (1128), Liza Clutario (1102), Krizziah Tabora (1067) and Anna Marie Kiac (1060).
