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WORLD Masters champion Biboy Rivera will see action in the
prestigious World Tenpin Masters slated April 18 to 20 at the
Metrodome Leisure Complex in Barnsley, England.
Rivera, who won the World Men’s Masters two
years ago in Busan, South Korea, is among three Asians in the elite
field of 16 players bannered by defending champion Jason Belmonte of
Australia.
Other prominent players vying for the $30,000
purse are 2006 champion Chris Barnes of US, 2005 World Bowler of the
Year and three-time runnerup Paul Moor of England and Diandra Asbaty,
the first American to be inducted and the youngest ever in the World
Bowling Hall of Fame and World Bowler of the Year in 2006 and 2007.
“It’s an honor to be invited to play in the
World Tenpin Masters,” said Rivera, who will play against Briton
Dominic Barrett in his first match.
Barrett, a quarterfinalist last year, won this
year’s Irish Open. The two-time English champion is currently No.
8 in Europe.
“Mahigpit ang mga kalaban. But I will do my
best,” said the 34-year-old Rivera during practice session at the
Green Valley Country Club, which is hosting the 19th TBAM-Prima
Pasta National Open and Youth Championships.
Rivera is using the National Open as “tune
up” before he leaves for England on April 17. “It’s my first
tournament after the surgery. I will just play some games.”
After winning the SEAG mixed doubles silver with
Liza del Rosario last December, Rivera decided to have his left
patella (knee cap) operated on by Dr. Jose Canlas, the medical
director of the Philippine Center for Sports Medicine.
“I was supposed to have my surgery last
November 17 but I had to play in the SEAG so it was reset to January
23. I had my first practice last March 16 after getting a clearance
from Dr. Canlas,” explained Rivera, a BS Tourism graduate from the
University of Santo Tomas.
Rivera debuted in the national team in 1996,
winning the gold in the Masters and singles and the bronze in the
all-events of the Youth International Championships in Malaysia.
He won the team gold in the 2001 Kuala Lumpur SEAG and the team
silver in the 2005 Manila SEAG.
-- Jean Malanum
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