Defending the Philippines' team-of-four bowling gold in the SEA Games got more meaningful, as the bowlers gave everything they got in front of the country's most decorated athlete—legend Bong Coo.
The Philippine bowling team claimed a gold in their final day of competition in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on Friday, December 19.
Not only did they beat hometown bets from Thailand, 961-865, the Filipinos defended their team-of-four gold medal from 2021.
Mark Jesus San Jose, Artegal Barrientos, Marc Custodio, and Kenneth Chua completed the feat in front of an emotional Bong Coo, a Philippine legend in bowling and the country's most decorated athlete.
"Our mindset kanina was just one frame at a time. Tapatan lang sila at huwag maging kampante," Barrientos said.
Coo, now serving as a commissioner in the Philippine Sports Commission, was seen praying halfway through the gold medal match.
"Humihingi lang ako kay Lord, please bless us with a gold. Kasi ikaw lang makakabigay sa'min nito. Thank you, Lord, so much for it," Coo said.
But the bowlers knew they had it in the bag.
"Siguro after three frames, we know that we have a great chance of winning the game," Chua shared.
They're grateful for the support shown by Coo, who won eight SEA Games gold medals and five Asian Games golds.
"We are very much thankful to Commissioner Bong, because she was also a national athlete before, and she is one of the greatest athletes of the Filipino," Chua added.
For Coo, who last delivered SEA Games gold in 1987, it's about time the Philippines returned to its bowling glory.
In the 2021 SEA Games, the Philippines claimed two golds, while Singapore ruled the event with three.
"We have to turn back bowling as a sport that we can rely on," she said.
(With reports from Denise Tan/Cignal)
Katrina Alba is a sports journalist and producer, notably with SportsCenter Philippines before taking on her current role at One Sports.
She primarily writes about basketball and volleyball, with experience covering the SEA Games, Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup.
Outside of work, her hobbies include running, swimming, pickleball, yoga, arnis, and krav maga.