The Philippine mixed doubles curling team continued its dominant run at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, securing a quarterfinal spot with a 3-0 record.
The Philippine mixed doubles curling team continued its impressive run at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, securing a spot in the quarterfinals after a dominant 11-3 victory over Qatar’s Mabarka Al-Abdulla and Nasser Abdulrah Alyafei on Wednesday at the Pingfang Curling Arena.
The unranked duo of Filipino-Swiss Marc Pfister and Filipino-American Kathleen Dubberstein extended their winning streak to three games, following earlier victories over world No. 13 South Korea (12-2) and No. 45 Kyrgyzstan.
“We just kept the same attitude heading to the next games. Our goal is to win all our round-robin games and possibly sweep it,” said Dubberstein, a 30-year-old electrical engineering graduate from Wisconsin, USA.
With the top three teams from each group advancing to the next round, Dubberstein remains optimistic about the Philippines’ chances of securing a medal.
“Qatar is also a developing nation in curling just like us. Our game with them was a good experience,” added Dubberstein, who is also set to compete in the women’s curling event on Sunday.
As of posting, the Philippines is battling host nation and world No. 15 China in a crucial Group B match.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Secretary-General Wharton Chan were in attendance, expressing confidence in the team’s ability to contend for a podium finish.
“Very impressive, and their confidence is growing. To win a medal, they have to stay that way,” Tolentino said.
Up next, the Philippines faces world No. 33 Kazakhstan on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Meanwhile, Tolentino announced that speed skater Peter Grosclose and curler Kathleen Dubberstein will serve as the country’s flag bearers for the opening ceremony on Friday at the Harbin International Convention Exhibition and Sports Center.
“Peter already represented us in several overseas competitions, especially in last year’s Winter Youth Olympic Games, while Kathleen is the other best available athlete as flag-bearer,” Tolentino explained.
Before the ceremony, Grosclose will compete in the qualifying heats for the 1,500m, 100m, and 500m short track speed skating events at the Heilongjiang Ice Events Training Center Multifunctional Hall.
The Philippines has sent a delegation of 20 athletes to the Games, competing against 33 other nations with over 1,275 athletes participating across 11 sports and 64 events.
Aside from Grosclose and Dubberstein, the country will be represented in figure skating by Paolo Borromeo, Cathryn Limketkai, Sofia Frank, and the pair of Isabella Gamez and Alexander Korovin.
The men’s curling squad includes Benjo Delarmente, Alan Frei, Christian Haller, Enrico Pfister, and Marc Pfister, while the women’s curling team features Anne Bonache, Kathleen Dubberstein, Leilani Dubberstein, Sheila Mariano, and Jessica Pfister.
With momentum on their side, the Philippine mixed doubles curling team aims to continue their historic run and bring home a medal from Harbin.