Tee, Clutario masters of ’em all

Markwin Tee and Liza Clutario bagged the most coveted gold medals in bowling, beating their respective rivals from Singapore in overpowering fashion at the close of the event in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games at the Pearl Bowling Center in Parañaque City yesterday.

Tee, a SEA Games rookie, played like a veteran as he stamped his class over seasoned campaigner Remy Ong, who led throughout the masters until he bumped into the talented Ateneo student and lost, 366-437.

The 21-year-old Tee scored a two-game series of 200 and 237 for a 218.5 average, assuring himself of the gold medal in the seventh frame of the second game.

"I’m so happy since this is my first time to play in the SEA Games. I dedicate this win to all Filipinos," said Tee, who came from behind to finish second in the second (long oil) block of the masters elims where he scored 1845 (194, 235, 247, 225, 258, 198, 210, 278), including 70 bonus points.

Ong settled for the silver with games of 187 and 179.

Tee stormed his way to the finals by beating Indonesians Ryan Leonard Lalisang in their knockout semis duel, 196-179, thus avenging his loss in the singles event. Lalisang took the bronze.

Clutario was just as impressive, outclassing Jazreel Tan Shi Hua, 460-372, in the finals to cop the women’s masters crown earlier.

The Philippines thus wound up as the overall champion in the sport, taking home four gold medals, including victories by Cecille Yap in the ladies singles and CJ Suarez and Joonie Gatchalian in the men’s doubles. The RP bowlers also took home six silvers.

Clutario rolled a two-game series of 225 and 235 for a 230 average, outclassing her Singaporean rival, who could only churn out rounds of 177 and 197.

"I did not look at the score, I just stayed focused on my game," said Clutario, who also won silver in the doubles event.

Clutario, member of the champion World FIQ trios team, ended the second block (long oil) of the masters at the top position with a 1850 total that included rounds of 242, 215, 246, 238, 234, 256, 206 and 213, including 70 bonus points.

"We (Philippines) never say die. That has been our motto the whole year," said RP coach Johnson Chang.