Gella-Macatula pair strikes in IBF world bowling

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

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

It could have been a better result for Gella and Macatula if they were able to sustain their strong start.

Gella and Macatula, a 32-year-old former World Cup champion, appeared unstoppable in the early rounds with a 5-0 shutout in their bracket.

But their run ended in the semis.

Still, it’s a momentous result brightening what had been a gloomy campaign for the Philippine bets.

In singles, Gella, a former world junior bronze winner, took a heartbreaking second-round exit.