S’pore trio fight back to win silver

INCHEON — They should have been clapping to Pharrell Williams’ hit Happy last Friday, but instead, a lacklustre outing at the Asian Games in the women’s doubles saw all six of Singapore’s women bowlers hauled up before Singapore Bowling Federation president Jessie Phua, who told them to get their act together.

Fortunately, Happy was back on the lanes yesterday at the Anyang Hogye Gymnasium in Incheon, as the trio of Cherie Tan, Jazreel Tan and New Hui Fen claimed silver in the women’s trios.

They finished with 3,753 pinfalls, behind gold medallists Lee Na-young, Son Yun-hee and Jung Dawun of South Korea (3,896). The other South Korean trio of Lee Yeong-seung, Jeon Eun-hee and Kim Jin-sun took bronze with 3,692 pinfalls.

“It’s a great feeling to win another medal for Singapore. We bowled better today than the other two events and we communicated better,” said Jazreel, who won a women’s singles silver on Sept 24. “We took it (Phua’s pep talk) as an extra boost, she was a little harsh on us, but it was to get us to focus and it gave us the determination we needed to push on.”

Added New: “I was making good shots, but just not in the right areas, but when any one of us wasn’t striking, the rest were picking it up.”

Phua joked yesterday that the bowlers performed well because the “dragon lady” — herself — was there.

“I blasted them (last Friday) not because they didn’t win a medal, but because I didn’t recognise this team. Winning is beyond your control, but doing your best is all I ask for. I’m glad they responded well and I got my team back today,” she said.

“We had a scratchy start, and if not, we could have seen a 1-2 or 1-3 Singapore finish. But these are formidable opponents. I hope this is the turn that we need.”

The first block of three games on Saturday saw Daphne Tan, Shayna Ng and Joey Yeo fourth behind South Korea, Taiwan and Japan with 1,864 pins, while the other Singaporean trios team were sixth (1,856). However, Cherie, Jazreel and New dug deep in the second block, grinding out the strikes and spares to secure a hard-earned silver.

With the women’s team up against South Korea — the hosts have won two women’s gold to date — in the hunt for their first gold medal in Incheon, Singapore head coach Remy Ong knows the job is hardly over.

“I’m not easily satisfied as we still haven’t won what we set out to do. We came close twice, and we’ll keep knocking on the door and I believe it (gold medal) will come,” said the former world champion.

While Sportswoman of the Year and 2012 World Cup winner Ng has yet to find her groove at the Asiad — she finished 32nd in the singles, sixth in the doubles and seventh in yesterday’s trios — Ong has faith in the 24-year-old.

“Don’t shut her out, she’s a champion who knows what it takes to be a champion. We will start winning gold if she plays well,” he said.

The team of five event takes place today and tomorrow before the masters event from Oct 1 to 2.

“We are not satisfied because this is another gold medal we missed. The team event is what we really want to get and we will be fighting harder than today,” said Jazreel. One can be sure she will finally dance to Happy when that gold medal arrives.