PH Mixed Doubles Curling Team falls short of historic medal at Asian Winter Games

The Philippine mixed doubles curling team of Marc Pfister and Kathleen Dubberstein came close to securing a historic Asian Winter Games medal on Saturday, February 8, only to fall short in a dramatic 6-5 bronze-medal match loss to China.

Facing Han Yu and Wang Zhiyu, the world No. 15 Chinese duo, the Filipinos took a commanding 4-0 lead after two ends. However, China patiently chipped away at the deficit, ultimately seizing control in the sixth end and holding off a late Philippine rally.

“I thought we played not that bad, but the experience just wasn’t there,” Pfister admitted after the tough loss.

Marc Pfister and Kathleen Dubberstein of team Philippines are gearing up for the competition prior to their battle for bronze against No. 15 China.

Despite the heartbreak, Team Philippines’ performance exceeded expectations. The unranked pair dominated the round-robin stage, finishing with an impressive 4-1 record, and took down Chinese Taipei in the qualification round before falling to eventual gold medalist Japan in the semifinals.

China Completes Comeback, Denies PH a Podium Finish

Pfister and Dubberstein’s early lead evaporated by the sixth end, as China surged ahead 6-4 entering the final frame. The Filipinos had a chance to force an extra end but were unable to capitalize on their positional advantage.

“Personally, I think I could have done better on my last rocks,” said Dubberstein, a former US national team curler. “The way I missed the shots was very marginal, so if we can work on honing those skills, I think we can do great next time.”

Pfister, a former Swiss national team member, emphasized the duo’s limited preparation time.

“We just played six or seven games together before the tournament. That was the reason,” he explained.

Philippines’ Winter Sports Progress Continues

While Philippine curling’s historic run ended without a medal, Pfister and Dubberstein will shift focus to their respective team events. Pfister will lead the men’s squad, while Dubberstein joins the women’s team in their upcoming competitions.

In other Philippine Winter Games action:

Speed skater Peter Joseph Groseclose fell short in the 1500m and 500m short track events but will have another shot in the 1000m race.
Alpine skier Proulx Tallulah placed 16th in the women’s slalom against 45 competitors.
Francis Ceccarelli will aim to qualify for the top 30 in the men’s slalom event.

The Philippines’ strong showing in winter sports marks a step forward for a nation unaccustomed to competing on ice. With more experience and preparation, the dream of an Asian Winter Games medal remains within reach.