AFTER his inspiring come-from-behind win in the men’s singles of the 31st Vietnam Southeast Asian Games bowling tournament last Monday, Merwin Tan’s first thoughts went to his late grandfather, Mersal, who introduced him to the game as a child and was also his first bowling instructor.
“Nu’ng maliit ako, si lolo Mersal ang nagyaya sa aking mag-bowling at sa kanya din ako natuto hanggang naging member ako ng national bowling team in 2016,” Tan recalled.
“So I dedicate this victory to my lolo since it is very memorable to me,” he added.
With a change in lanes, ball and proper adjustment, Tan proved to be in a zone in the sixth and final frame, coming up with a six-bagger or six straight strikes that proved to be the deciding factor in his quest for a golden finish.
With a final tally of 1262 pinfalls, Tan wrested the gold medal from erstwhile Thai frontrunner Yannaphon Larphapharat, who lost by six pins and settled for the silver (1256).
Tan’s triumph ended an 11-year gold medal drought for Pinoy keglers in the biennial games. Frederick Ong last won the men’s singles in the 2011 Indonesia SEA Games.
“Sobrang saya and shocking din po na nanalo ng gold para sa Pilipinas,” said the left-hander of his unlikely win.
Tan revealed that his concentration on the last game was “frame by frame.”
“I did not even realize I was behind. I was just trying to execute well, make good shots and maximize every frame. It was only after we tallied the scores after the match that I realized I had won,” he said.
The southpaw added that lanes 3 and 4 and a ball change in his final game aided his playing style, which national men’s coach Biboy Rivera cited for his ward’s remarkable rally in the final game.
“Because Merwin is a southpaw, he had more room to maneuver in these lanes, so it worked well for him, unlike if he was a right-handed player,” Rivera said.
“I am so overwhelmed! After 11 years, I cannot thank the Lord enough. Talagang come from behind si Merwin,” said Philippine Bowling Federation secretary general Bong Coo, overjoyed with Tan’s clutch performance.
