Holly Josef

Six years after playing makeshift bowling with her cousins, Josef found herself wearing the country’s colors in the 24th Southeast Asian Games set to kick off Thursday in Thailand.

"Nakakatuwa kasi gumawa lang kami ng mga pinsan ko ng improvised na bola para makapag-laro. Tapos iyon na pala ang start ko," the 17-year-old La Salle student recalled.

Josef is thrilled to play in the biennial Games.

"I’m really overwhelmed because it was just a simple game and ngayon nasa RP team na ako," the youngest member of the squad said.

Josef, the recent PBC quarterly champion, made it to the RP team by finishing fifth in the national tryout conducted by the Philippine Bowling Congress (PBC) last February.

"Excited ako kasi sobrang ganda daw ng opening ceremony. Pero medyo pressured kasi I’ll be playing with the best bowlers na hinahangaan ko. Dati pinapanood ko lang sila sa TV. I really need to perform well," she said.

Josef is surrounded by veterans in their late 20s and early 30s led by defending Masters champion Liza Clutario. The others are Liza del Rosario, Irene Garcia, Josephine Canare and Marianne Daisy Posadas.

Making up the men’s team are defending Masters champion Markwin Tee, reigning world masters champion Biboy Rivera, 2005 doubles titlists CJ Suarez and Ernesto Gatchalian and newcomers Raul Miranda and Paul Sy.

To concentrate on her SEAG debut, Josef filed a leave of absence from school and left home to stay with relatives near the practice venue.

"Medyo mahirap kasi nabawasan yung family time and ‘di na ako makapag-gimik dahil pagod na ako pagkatapos ng practice. Pero okey lang dahil ito naman yung gusto ko and I will do everything to win for the country," Josef said.

Gene Tonelete, the women’s head coach, noted Josef’s devotion and sacrifices.

"She (Josef) had sacrificed so much for the SEAG, pati na pag-stop sa school ginawa na niya. Alam ko masakit yun kaya ang taas ng tingin ko sa bata. Personally I cannot do that," Tonelete said.

Tonelete said several international stints have toughened Josef and will not be surprised to see her making headlines in the near future.

"With her confidence level and improved game, two or three years from now, hindi na ako magugulat kung ma-mamayagpag na siya sa mga dyaryo," Tonelete said.

Josef owes her fledgling career to her uncle, Salvador Candano, who taught her the basics of the sport. She also credited her participation in tournaments at the Batang X Club in Sta. Lucia Bowling Center.

Not much is expected from the young bowler, but her mere presence should serve as an inspiration for those who harbor dreams of becoming a national bowler someday.