NATIONAL bowlers Kenneth Chua and Krizziah Tabora captured the 2015 Prima Pasta Bowler of the Year awards to lead all honorees during Team Prima’s Annual Athletes’ Recognition Night recently at the V Corporate Centre in Makati City.
Chua, 24, a member of the Philippine bowling team, bagged his second male Bowler of the Year award after winning his first in 2013. He was a unanimous choice to win the award after topping seven prestigious bowling tournaments this year.
“I felt really happy, fulfilled and proud of my award because all of the efforts and hard work that I gave in my training paid off again,” said Chua. “This is one of the most prestigious yearend awards of each Team Prima Athlete that I really worked hard for.”
He also had four perfect games this year. “I want to thank my parents for giving their all out support. Second, I also dedicate this award to my Japanese Bowling coach, Madoka Amano. Without his help and guidance, these awards wouldn’t have been possible and I wouldn’t have won the titles.”
Chua won the titles in this year’s PTBA Open Mixed Open Masters, SLETBA Open Masters and Philippine National Open Masters, took first runner-up honors in the World Cup National Finals, SCTBA Open, placed second runner in the Henrich Cup Open Masters and the TBAM Easter Open Masters.
Known for his superb bowling skills, Chua is considered by most bowling enthusiasts to follow the path of Filipino bowling greats six-time world champion Paeng Nepomuceno and world champion Biboy Rivera.
“I also want to thank Alexander Lim. Without his support and sponsorship, we wouldn’t be able to join these tournaments. I would also like to give mention to Smart Communications. Ever since I started working with them, they’ve showed nothing but support to Filipino athletes, by allowing me to participate in international tournaments,” he added.
Tabora received a second straight female Bowler of the Year award for her major accomplishments this year, highlighted by the TBAM Open title and being part of the Singapore Southeast Asian Games bronze medal in the women’s team event.
Brother and sister junior bowlers Bea Hernandez and Enzo Hernandez grabbed their second straight Junior Bowler of the Year awards for another remarkable year. Bea rolled her first career perfect game during the Asian Schools Bowling Championships in HK.
Cyclist Eboy Farr took his second consecutive Cyclist of the Year trophies in the awards night.