Rivera out to defend World bowl masters title

MANILA, Philippines - Biboy Rivera hopes to get the ball rolling for Team Philippines when he anchors its bid in the World Men’s Bowling Championships in Munich, Germany on Aug. 12-21.

Rivera is out to defend the masters title which he won over Germany’s Achim Grabowski four years ago in South Korea, and is also hoping to carry his teammates to victory.

But he knows it’s not going to be easy going against the finest teams involving 370 players, from 69 countries.

“We have a good fighting chance but you don’t know what’s going to happen. We will do our best but still we need the breaks,” he said during yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Ave.

Aside from Rivera, also representing the Philippines are Asian Championships gold medalist Raoul Miranda, Chester King, Bensher Layoso and 18-year-old rookie Frederick Chua. 

They will be coached by Jojo Canare, who said the team has strong chances in the individual events, and will work on their team chances until the day they leave for Munich next week.

Philippine Bowling Congress (PBC) secretary-general Bong Coo, who also appeared in the same forum presented by Outlast Battery, Pagcor, Shakey’s and Accel, said the players have been training long and hard for the event, which will also serve them well as they prepare for this year’s Asian Games.

“We don’t know what the lane patterns will be. But what we know is that it’s going to be medium and long. But I’m confident with the team, especially Biboy, who rolled a perfect game in his victory four years ago,” she said.

Each country will field six players each, and Rivera noted that the United States will have an all-professional team.