MANILA, Philippines — Krizziah Tabora-Macatula never expected to top the national qualifiers for the chance to represent the country in the World Cup of Bowling at the 40-lane alleys of the Jakabaring Sports Center, Palembang, on Nov. 16-24. She took off from the sport to address a medical issue on doctors’ orders for six months last year and had another leave for 1-1/2 months to prepare for her wedding to former national bowler J. P. Macatula last August.
But Tabora-Macatula never lost sight of her dream of making it to her third World Cup after Poland in 2012 and a championship in Mexico in 2017. She was cleared by doctors to resume bowling early this year and with her father Delfin’s encouragement, regained her form to once again contend in the World Cup.
After the wedding, Tabora-Macatula postponed her honeymoon to get ready for the World Cup qualifiers at Paeng’s Eastwood Bowl in Quezon City two weeks ago. On the first three days of competition, Tabora-Macatula trailed pacesetter Liza del Rosario. Then, in the semifinals, she beat Dyan Coronacion, 233-206 and 276-265 and upset Del Rosario in the final, 237-211 and 213-186. A week later, she was back to play in the Open Masters at the Playdium Bowling Center, Araneta Avenue and topped the eliminations then beat King Limpo, 233-178, for the championship.
“J. P. and my dad are behind me all the way,” she said. “Tito Paeng (Nepomuceno) told me how happy he was that I made it back. This was completely unexpected. The difference between now and my first two World Cups is this time, I’m cramming. Nawalaan ako ng bowling time last year and this year. This is all God’s work. Blessing ito ni Lord and I hope He gives me strength to win in Indonesia.”
Tabora-Macatula, 28, said because of her layoffs, she lost her spot on the national pool and won’t be able to compete in the Southeast Asian Games this year. “Hindi pa ako sure if I will be accepted back in the pool for next year,” she said. “J. P. and I are planning to have a baby and right now, ‘yan ang aking mindset. This World Cup could be my last hurrah. A lot will also depend on how I do in the World Cup.”
Tabora-Macatula said since the start of this year, she has won two local tournaments. She plans to join two more competitions, one in Alabang and the other in Sta. Lucia, before leaving for Indonesia. “I started going to the gym regularly for an hour last week,” she said. “I’m now 141 pounds and my goal is to go below 135 for the World Cup. I’m doing cardio exercises and spinning classes in the gym. Before the end of this week, I’ll do more than an hour of gym work. I’m also doing bowling practice three to four days a week with my coach Sixto Sengson whom I’ve worked with since 2011.”
Because of her husband’s work at Clark, they see each other only on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. “We stay together in Quezon City or his family’s home in Sta. Maria, Bulacan when he’s off from work,” she said. “When I go to Indonesia, J. P., my father, mother (Thelma) and J. P.’s father Ricardo will come with me. I still don’t know when we’ll leave but it will be one or two days before the start of the competition.”