Malaysia, Singapore, RP tipped in bowling

Malaysia, Singapore, RP tipped in bowling

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): World-class bowlers from Malaysia, the
Philippines and Singapore are tipped to rule the lanes in the
21st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games when the bowling competition
unfolds Monday.

Defending overall champion Malaysia, which won seven gold
medals in the 1999 SEA Games in Brunei, is facing tough challenge
from the Philippines and Singapore which boast of their own
killer keglers.

Malaysian national team manager Cheah Ban Cheng said he feared
the Philippines most and expects a "very close" competition,
where 12 gold medals are at stake.

"They (the Philippines) have good bowlers while Singapore also
have a formidable team. We will not overlook the keglers from
Thailand. They have many young bowlers in the team," he told the
state-run news agency Bernama.

"Our preparations have been good and hopefully, the bowlers
will deliver," he said.

Malaysia is banking on national bowling queen Shalin Zulkifli
will, while Singapore will unleash 2001 World Masters winner
Jesmine Ho.

The Philippines has a formidable array of women frontliners
such as defending singles champion Arianne Valdez, Malaysian Open
champion Cecilia Yap and Penang Pesta Masters champion Liza Del
Rosario.

The Filipino men's team is equally talented with reigning
World Masters champion Chester King of the Philippines expected
in a head-on clash with Singapore's Andrew Fang.

Singapore's American coach Ron Hoppe said: "They are a strong
team. If they can perform at their best, they can win. Malaysia,
perhaps, have the greatest depth and they also have home
advantage."