Bautista, Tabora brace for tough WC outing

MANILA, Philippines - Veteran RJ Bautista believes his upcoming campaign in the Bowling World Cup International finals in Wroclaw, Poland on Nov. 24-Dec. 2 together with fellow qualifier Krizziah Tabora will be the toughest test of their bowling career.   

“This is the biggest test I guess in my bowling career,” said Bautista, a former 2002 Busan Asian Games gold winner. “The presence of the best professional bowlers from around the world and the finest amateur players will make the World Cup even more competitive than the previous ones.”

The 34-year-old Bautista is a pioneer member of Team Prima along with 2006 World Cup champion Biboy Rivera and Ezzie Gan.

But the Philippine Air Lines flight attendant said he will do everything what it takes to be on top in the World Cup as he bids to join the elite list of Filipino winners headed by four-time champion Paeng Nepomuceno, Bong Coo, Lita de la Rosa and CJ Suarez.

“I don’t want to promise anything but I’m looking forward to the competition with a positive attitude,” said Bautista, who beat Chester King in the national qualifying stage at the SM Bowling Center, North Edsa last week.

He won, 2-0 (280-195, 222-195), to claim the gold and the coveted World Cup berth.

“We still have plenty of time to prepare and we’re going to train hard,” said Bautista. “I would like to thank my wife, my family, coaches, the Philippine Bowling Congress and PAL president Ramon Ang and fellow Prima teammates and chairman Alex Lim for supporting me.”    

This is Bautista’s second WC stint after placing eighth in 1999.

Tabora, 21, meanwhile, said she is very excited to compete even as she vowed to train hard for the tough event.  

“National champions from more than 100 countries normally participate in the international finals, so we really need to train harder than before to gain better result,” said the national player and Miriam College student Tabora.

She upset veteran Liza Del Rosario in the finals, 2-1 (210-205, 162-184, 246-181).