Gella, Macatula end Philippines' 45-year podium absence in World Tenpin Bowling Championships

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines’ Grace Gella and Krizziah Tabora-Macatula delivered the country’s first women’s doubles podium result in the IBF World Tenpin Bowling Championships in almost half a century after a bronze finish in the Kuwait edition over the weekend.

The courageous Gella-Macataula duo fell to Singapore’s Colleen Pee and New Hui Fen, 2-0, but it still clinched the Filipina keglers a first podium finish since legendary Bong Coo and Lita dela Rosa struck gold in 1979 in Manila.

“Yes I won gold in doubles with Lita dela Rosa in 1979, world record pa,” said Coo, now a Philippine sports commissioner.

The momentous result brightened what had been a gloomy campaign by the Philippine bets including the heartbreaking second-round exit by Mella, a former World junior bronze winner, in the singles.

And it could have been a different medal had Mella and Macatula, a 32-year-old former World Cup champion, sustained their strong start.

Gella and Macatula appeared unstoppable in the early rounds with a 5-0 shutout in their bracket.

It ended in the semis.