DECORATED Dabawenya bowler Tessa Dianne Galendez-Lim continues to make her mark in the sport she loves, now excelling in Canada.
A two-time SM Millionaires Cup national champion from the Davao Tenpin Bowlers Association (Datba), Galendez-Lim delivered standout performances at the recently concluded Greater Toronto Tenpin Bowling Association Women's Annual Championship Tournament.
She played a key role in leading Team Polar Bear A to victory in the team championship, contributing to their total of 2,274 pinfalls alongside teammates Catherine Kim, Jocelyn Huang, and Ken Lo. The P.P.G. & M.J.J. team of Doris Ho, Sabrina Mac, Riva Yeung, and Stephanie Adams finished second with 2,406 pinfalls, while Team Unpredictable Crystal Mui, Anny Tang, Corty Chow, and Irene Au placed third with 2,071.
Galendez-Lim also secured runner-up honors in both the all-events and singles categories. She tallied 2,219 pins in all-events, finishing just behind Kim (2,295). In singles, she recorded 795 pins, narrowly trailing Kim, who won the title with 803.
"The usual team events, singles, doubles, and all events naa gihapon sila diri (The usual team events, singles, doubles, and all events are still included here). Competing with teammates from different countries has inspired me to consider joining the Canadian team in the future, should the opportunity arise," she said in a Messenger interview with SunStar Davao.
Although playing away from home is bittersweet, she finds pride in representing the Philippines.
"It saddens me to play without my family and friends back home, but it's incredibly fulfilling to bring pride to my country."
Balancing school and part-time work, Galendez-Lim stays active in a local bowling league every Thursday.
She also noted a key difference in Canadian tournaments—they offer only cash prizes, unlike in the Philippines, where winners receive both cash and trophies.
During her vacation in September 2024, Galendez-Lim clinched the the mixed classified masters championship title at the Metro Cagayan Invitational Open at the SM Game Park CDO Downtown, Cagayan de Oro City. MLSA