'Bowlers must adapt to new technologies'

MANILA, Philippines - National bowling team coach Jun Trasporto yesterday said national bowlers must adapt to new technologies to remain competitive again on the world stage.

Trasporto said bowling has undergone a lot of technological advancements in terms of equipment, including bowling balls and bowling lanes, since the 1980s and that Filipino bowlers must be able to adapt to these new technologies.

“If a bowler is not updated with the sport’s equipment, he will be left out, especially in international competitions,” said Trasporto in Tuesday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Pizza on UN Ave.

Also gracing the forum were Olivia “Bong” Coo, Philippine Bowling Congress secretary general, Jojo Canare, women’s national bowling team coach and Ely Gundran, Philippine Bowling Congress team management head.

Trasporto, a technical coach whose expertise is matching the bowling ball with lane condition and with the player’s style of play, is a world-renowned Filipino coach who also handled the Korean Bowling Congress in 2006 and the Qatar Bowling Federation in 2007.

Under his watch as ball management coach of the Korean national squad, the team won 11 medals, including four golds in the Asian Championships in Doha, Qatar. Trasporto also steered Qatar to a grand slam in the Arab Games, the Gulf region’s version of the Asian Games.

Trasporto said bowling equipment used in Korea and Qatar is at par with those used in international bowling competitions. He added that unlike the Koreans who are more disciplined, the RP bowlers are a bit hesitant to change and are unwilling to trust their coaches in adapting to these new technologies.

“They (Korea and Qatar) play in the same condition as in international events. So our players must also believe that technology is a big factor,” said Trasporto.

“We have six balls in each competition. Each ball is drilled differently. Those who could easily adjust has the advantage,” said Coo.

She said the national team, which is eyeing a stint in the World Championships in Munich in August and in the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China in November, is undergoing intensive training six times a week.