FILIPINO George Manioso rolled back the years to put up an impressive performance during the Asia Pacific Masters Games 2018 tenpin bowling men’s singles competition.
Competing in the 60 years and above category, the 61-year-old from Manila amassed a total of 1450 over six games, for a whopping average of 241.7 pins.
Manioso did not dip below the 200 mark in all six games, rolling down lines of 243-234-235-264-260-214. The hook bowler’s performance would have been good enough to challenge or even triumph in any high-level international bowling competitions.
“Everything seemed to be going my way today. I got the right feeling of the lanes early on, and I just kept going on until the end,” said the Philippines national Paralympics bowling squad coach.
“I have been actively competing in Masters bowling competition, and jumped at the chance to participate in the APMG 2018 when I learnt that the Philippines Bowling Congress is assembling a bowling contingent to send to Penang.”
He finished a massive 272 pins ahead of the silver medalist and compatriot Absalon Serrano Jr (total 1178), with the Penang Tenpin Bowling Association assistant secretary Albert Yeoh in third spot with a score of 1121.
Manioso was part of the Philippines national bowling squad over three decades ago, and played together with Filipino bowling legend Paeng Nepomuceno. But he did not achieve any outstanding international victories during his national playing career.
He then spent 25 years in the Middle East, managing bowling centers and pro-shops in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman before deciding to return to Manila in 2012.
He then joined the Philippines Bowling Congress as a coach, and is now coaching the Philippines Paralympics bowling squad, who are currently preparing to compete in the Asian Para Games in Jakarta from Oct 8 to 16.
The APMG 2018 tenpin bowling competition began at the Mega Mall Bowling Centre in Seberang Perai today. The events in the APMG 2018 bowling programme are the men’s and women’s singles, doubles, all-events, Masters and mixed doubles.
Photos courtesy of APMG 2018