Philippine curling duo earns shot at historic bronze in Asian Winter Games

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The curling tandem of Kathleen Dubberstein and Marc Pfister are a win away from delivering the Philippines its first-ever medal in Asian Winter Games history

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines will earn a shot at a historic medal in the Asian Winter Games as the curling duo of Kathleen Dubberstein and Marc Pfister shoot for the bronze in the mixed doubles category in Harbin, China, on Saturday, February 8.

Dubberstein and Pfister were denied an outright medal after falling prey to Japan’s Tori Koana and Go Aoki in the semifinals, 10-3, at the Harbin Pingfang Curling Arena on Friday.

But the tandem can still deliver the Philippines its first-ever medal in the continental showdown for winter sports as Dubberstein and Pfister vie for the bronze against China.

It will be a tall order, though, as Dubbersten and Pfister absorbed their only loss in the group round at the hands of China’s Han Yu and Wang Zhiyu, with the hosts going unbeaten to automatically qualify for the semifinals.

But China has been proven to be beatable as it suffered a surprise 8-4 semifinal loss to South Korea, a team the Philippines defeated in the group stage.

Dubbersten and Pfister have won five of their seven matches, going 4-1 in group play and then toppling Chinese Taipei, 7-2, in the quarterfinals earlier on Friday.

Meanwhile, speed skater Peter Groseclose advanced to the semifinals of the 1,500m and the quarterfinals of the 500m and 1,000m events of the men’s short track competitions.

“I’m excited to have started my Asian Winter Games campaign on such a strong note, advancing through the semifinals and quarterfinals in all event,” said Groseclose.

“It gives me great confidence and motivation as I continue to compete and strive for success in the upcoming races.”

The Philippines has a total of 20 athletes competing in the ninth edition of the Asian Winter Games. – Rappler.com