LAS VEGAS - The Philippine women’s bowling team is looking to hold its own against a crack international field as the World Women’s Bowling Championships reels off at the Cashman Center here Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).

A cast of 45 nations will participate in this biennial competition at the Cashman Center, whose interiors were renovated to accommodate 60 state-of-the art bowling lanes.

“The competition is going to be tough because the top teams are all here. But I believe we also have our own chances,” Jojo Canare, a former RP team standout and now national coach, said of their stint sponsored by the PSC, Café Puro, Gbox and UPHS.

“So I told my girls to enjoy themselves and have fun,” said Canare. “Malay mo, baka suwertihin.”

The RP bowling team is bannered by veteran internationalists Liza del Rosario, fresh from winning the ladies singles bronze medal at the World Games, and Lisa Clutario, the 2005 ladies’ masters gold medalist.

Canare cited that the hosts have assembled four pros in their powerhouse squad while Australia has also sent a talented team starring veteran 38-year-old Ann Maree Putney, the World Cup titlist in 2007 and runner-up in 2008.

Backing up Putney are ex-pros Carol Gionatti and Maxine Nable.
But Canare was more wary of the Americans, who have assembled a formidable squad with four current pros on its roster: Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Wendy Macpherson, Stefanie Nation and Lynda Barnes, the 2008 Bowling’s Clash of Champions winner, and wife of top-ranked US men’s bowler Chris Barnes.

Canare said the other strong teams from Malaysia, Korea, China and Japan could not be ruled out.

The tournament opened in simple rites last Monday while the tournament proper is set to start with the singles contests Tuesday.