World Bowling Champion Biboy Rivera
Hitting the jackpot

biboy_rivera.jpgQUITTERS never win.
Thomasian World Bowling Champion Engelberto “Biboy” Rivera indeed lived with this battle cry as he finally won the gold on a bigger stage, becoming the seventh Filipino World Bowling Champion last September in South Korea—the same country where he bungled an Asian Games gold four years back.
“It’s not everyday that one is given the chance to be the World Champion, so I might as well make the most out of it,” Rivera said.
Rivera bowled the perfect pitch to down seasoned Achim Gwarobski of Germany, 300-212, for the Masters gold medal that aligned him with Filipino bowling Hall-of- Famers Paeng Nepomuceno and Bong Coo. Rivera’s flawless outing only happened for the 13th time in the tournament’s history.

Might without height
A 1997 UST Tourism graduate, Rivera originally wanted to be part of the UST Growling Tigers, having been a high school varsity standout at Don Bosco Makati. The five-foot-seven Rivera, however, could not crack the team because of his height.
But with the zeal of competition running through his veins, Rivera looked for another sport that would fit his physique and give him a chance to excel once more. And bowling was the perfect choice.
From then on, Rivera joined various bowling tournaments. He won his first gold in the Youth Quarterly Finals in 1993. Rivera also has won gold medals in various local and international tournaments, including the Hongkong International Tenpin Bowling Championships (2004), the 17th Hongkong Asian Championships in the Doubles Division (2002), and the Asia Masters Champion (2001).
Rivera said consistency is of primordial importance in bowling since there is no defense in the sport.
“I just always give my 100 per cent in every shot and in every frame, kaya maganda ang nagiging resulta,” he said.

Rainbow after the storm
When he failed to pocket the Asian Games gold for the Philippines in 2002, Rivera vowed to redeem himself, under all circumstances. True enough, he made the pressure-packed perfect game in the World Championship decider despite a left knee patella injury.
“I did not bother to think of my Asian Games debacle because it will only jeopardize my dreams of avenging my loss and becoming a World Champion,” Rivera told the Varsitarian.
With the Masters’ gold medal, Rivera ended the Philippines’ 26-year title drought of the World Bowling Championships. Ollie Ongtawco was the last Filipino champion in 1979.
After the World Championship, the fight continues for the one-time 1996 Benavides Achievement Award recipient. Rivera is again gunning for gold in the ongoing 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. In fact, Rivera skipped a tournament in Hong Kong and the World Cup qualifying meet to go full-time for the Asiad training.
“I will still go for the gold especially since everybody is expecting much from me,” Rivera said. “Winning a gold again would definitely vindicate that I am a no one-tournament wonder.” Llanesca T. Panti



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