Strikes and Spares: A banker’s game in the bowling lane

When life doesn’t go as planned, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Unibanker Marie Alexis Sy remains focused on hitting her targets, as if knocking bowling pins to achieve a perfect game of 12 consecutive strikes.

While some explored more popular sports such as volleyball, tennis, or even basketball, Alexis found love in bowling, which seems to run in the family.  Her grandfather, dad, and brother bowled, too.  The 29-year-old Cebuana relished her childhood memories when she would watch her brother train.  “My interest in bowling started when I began accompanying my brother to the bowling center every Sunday years ago.  It became a routine.  I just sat there and watched him. Hanggang sabi ko gusto ko na rin ma-try [Then I said, I would like to also try].  There was satisfaction when you see all the pins get hit in one shot,” she recalls.

Alexis’ passion for bowling leveled up when she started joining competitions. With her consistency, perseverance, and go-getter attitude, she received a sponsorship for an international youth competition, Prima Pasta. At 12, she joined her first tournament in 2004 in Hong Kong.

Six years later, she made it to the national team pool for the 2011 SEA Games (SEAG). For the first time, she successfully advanced to the Masters round.

“Sobrang kinabahan ako kasi ’pag SEA Games, ibang level na. [I was very nervous because competing at the SEA Games is a different level].  At that time, I was not mentally prepared, kasi may pressure at hindi ako marunong mag-control ng emotion ko. Sabi ko, hindi ko na lang papansinin ang score ko, basta execute lang hanggang umabot sa masters.” [At that time, I was not mentally prepared because I felt so much pressure and didn’t know how to control my emotions yet. I said to myself, I won’t think about my score and just focus on execution until I reach the Masters round].

Her hard work paid off when she secured her first bronze medal finish at the 2015 SEAG. This, she says, was one of the most memorable moments in her sporting career.  “It felt surreal.  It meant a lot because my father was there watching and cheering me on.”

A three-time SEA Games Bronze medalist, Alexis has been busy these days, juggling her career and sports life. She trains hard to maintain her position as one of the Philippines’ top female bowlers.

Having achieved podium finish after grabbing the bronze medals in the 2015, 2017, and 2019 SEA Games, she returns to the bowling alley this year for the upcoming tournament to be held in May 2022 in Vietnam.

“Sa four days ng qualifying tournament, all the way number one ako.  [In the four-day qualifying tournament, I was number 1]. I was so happy!,” she shares.

For many of us, our interest in sports is a way to take a break or recharge.  But for Alexis, bowling has become a huge part of her life. Sustaining and being good at the sport needs constant practice.  The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, however, changed the game, both in the bowling lane and in life.

“It was really hard for me, especially when the pandemic started, because bowling is also a muscle memory type of sport. It requires consistency and repetitive shots. If you don’t get to bowl for a week, it feels like you’re back to square one,” she explains.

The stress brought about by the lockdowns in Manila last year took a toll on her mental health. She felt alone and exhausted, having to deal with the fear and uncertainty, while worrying about the safety of her family in Cebu. In August 2021, almost two months after she decided to move back to Cebu, Alexis lost her grandmother and father to COVID-19.

“I decided to be with my family because I’ve lost a lot of time with them talaga. Parang bumabawi ako, kaya ako umuwi [I wanted to make up for the lost time, so I went home]. So somehow, at least I was able to spend time with them. We were complete for at least two months.”

It was a tough time for Alexis. Admittedly, it seemed easier to give up. But she knew that her father—the very person who inspired her to pursue her career in banking and bowling—would have wanted her to continue what she started. “Sabi ni Mama, gusto ’yan ng dad mo. Kaya I tried na unti-unti bumalik [My mother said it was what my father wanted, so I gradually went back to banking and bowling].”  Fast forward, Alexis is now training for the SEA Games.

Alexis perfectly knew how her banking and bowling life works hand in hand.  Self-discipline was her friend.  “I can balance my professional life as a banker and as an athlete by finishing my work tasks on time, so I can also be in training on time.  But there are days when I do overtime or work in advance, especially when it’s crucial for the bank.”

The sport allowed her to continue to do her best in BPI. “This sport taught me how to ignore the noises which you cannot control—as long as you do your best, no matter what the outcome is,” she says.

Even amid life’s challenges, Alexis remains optimistic about what’s ahead. “I focus on the process, whether it involves work or health.  Being an athlete is never going to be easy but being open and accepting of challenges makes life more exciting. You only live once,” she says.

For aspiring bowlers, Alexis shares these tips:

1. Practice, practice, and practice: Consistency and repetitive shots are crucial in this sport, which makes it challengingly fun. Eyes on the target, may it be on the arrows or on the dots.
2. Focus on the basics: Choose the right bowling ball weight – not too light, not too heavy. Just relax when you swing the ball. Fix your timing on your approach.
3. Be patient: There will be good days and bad days. There are days when you are unmotivated and unlucky. But as author Joyce Meyer says, “patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.”
4. Be kind to yourself: It’s okay to make mistakes, it’s okay to take a break when you’re tired. Always forgive yourself and it’s okay to start over again. Have fun!