His Royal Highness Prince Hj
Sufri Bolkiah (C), the President
of the Brunei Darussalam National
Olympic Council (BDNOC), talks
to national bowlers before the
men's trio event in Jakarta
yesterday. Picture: Infofoto
Mike Griffith was left scratching his head after watching his charges' mental crumble here at the Jaya Ancol Bowling Centre yesterday.
Mohd Haidir Fadzilla Hj Noor Ismadi, Pg Md Rudisofy Pg Hj Tajuddin and Pg Eshamuddin Pg Hj Mohiddin had a "brilliant" start to their men's trio event and their score in the second of the six games bowled was the highest by any country up until that point (611).
But the pressure got to them and they disintegrated in their second block of three games, and they would finish with a total of 3,166 pinfalls for an average of 175.60 ending last in the field of 13 teams.
His Royal Highness Prince Hj Sufri Bolkiah, the President of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BNOC), was at the venue to watch them bowl, and perhaps his departure after the second game explained their downturn.
"It was a mixed day for us. We started very well when HRH was here but then ... they bowled brilliantly until he left, but once again, we have no excuses," said Griffith, the national coach.
"We were third heading into the lunch-break (which separates the two three-game blocks on different conditions). We should have learnt the lane conditions by now. We have had ample time.
"For some reason, I don't know what but ... I put it down to the pressure of the situation. I would say a lot of the problems we have are psychological.
"It is unclear why but they can't seem to handle the pressure of the situation playing at the SEA Games.
"They have personal expectations and the desire to win ... (so) I hope all that desire and frustration will explode on the lanes tomorrow (today) in the team (of five) event.
"All five will be bowling tomorrow (today) once again on the short oil and long oil. It will be the first time all five will be bowling together and I'm hoping lessons will be learnt," added the Australian.
Malaysia A's Adrian Ang, Liew Kien Liang and Zulmazran Zulkifli who bowled a flawless 300 in his third game won gold with a total of 3,874 pinfalls, averaging 215.20.
Malaysia B's Aaron Kong, Muhamad Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek and Muhd Nur Aiman finished with silver after bowling 3,703 (205.70 average) while the Philippines' Engelberto Rivera, Frederick Ong and Raoul Miranda claimed bronze with 3,628 (201.60 average).
With a squad of five, Brunei was the only country to field one team in the trios.
The first three games were on short oil and the second three on long, and the team should have been familiar with the conditions after previously bowling in the singles on Tuesday and doubles on Wednesday.
The trio had a total of 545 in their first game yesterday, 611 in their second and 528 in their third. The tides turned in the second block, where there recorded 497 in the fourth game, 514 in the fifth and a low of 471 in their sixth.
Griffith said the format of play, three games divided by lunch, didn't exactly sit well with the team.
"They were on a roll then had to sit out for an hour as the lanes were oiled and we had lunch. It does affect our players," admitted the coach.
Courtesy from Brunei Times
