Buhain natuwa sa unang gold ng RP

BUSAN -- "We have broken through and we have started the ball rolling."

Ito ang pahayag ng tuwang-tuwang si Eric Buhain, chairman ng Philippine Sports Commission, kinaumagahan matapos ihatid nina Paeng Nepomuceno at RJ Bautista ang unang gold medal sa men’s double ng bowling competition sa 14th Asian Games.

"We’ve been praying very hard for this and sana tuluy-tuloy na," ani Buhain sa gintong naging malaking karagdagan sa limang bronzes ng Philippine contingent mula kina bowlers Liza Clutario sa women’s singles, rowers Alvin Amposta at Nestor Cordova sa men’s double sculls, shooter Jethro Dionisio sa men’s individual trap at si Dionisio uli kasama sina Jaime Recio at Eric Ang sa men’s trap.

"I strongly believe a roll (para sa golds) is in for us," wika ni Buhain. "Just like what rowing did, it kicked off a string of medals."

Ang naturang gintong medalya ay nagbigay kay Nepomuceno at Bautista ng P1.5 milyon bilang cash incentive -- P1 milyon para sa team mula sa pamahalaan sa bisa ng Republic Act 9064 o Athletes and Coaches Incentives Act at P.5 milyon mula sa sponsor na Samsung Electronics Phils. Corp.

"With the gold medal, it goes to show that we could compete at this level,"ani Buhain.