12th May, Manila: 2007 Philippine Open champion, Liza Del Rosario led a clean sweep of the top six spots of the Ladies' Open Round 1 finals at the PBF 2nd Philippine International Open to advance to Round 2 finals.

Daphne Custodio got off to a great with 247 in her opening game to lead compatriot, Dyan Coronacion by 44 pins. But her lead was short-lived as Del Rosario rolled a sizzling 257 to leapfrog into the lead.

Defending champion, Lara Posadas moved up into second spot, just two pins behind the leader with Custodio a further five pins away in third. Bea Hernandez and Youth Girls Masters first runner-up, Dale Lazo in the top five.

Posadas took over the running after knocking down a superb 251 in the third game. Del Rosario responded with 224 but found herself 25 pins behind the leader. Whilst Posadas added 200 in her fourth game, Del Rosario fought back with a brilliant 258 to regain the lead at the halfway mark.

Lazo hung on to third with 1652 despite ending her last two games with 131 and 170 after she put herself in contention with 258 and 279 in her fifth and sizth games. Coronacion finished fourth with 1647.

Mades Areles and Custodio did well to clinch fifth and sixth positions and join the top four for Round 2 finals with 1588 and 1581 respectively. Hernandez, who was in sixth position before the final game crashed out with 1561 and finished eighth.

Sole Malaysian finalist, Dayang Evysuleanny missed the cut by 18 pins despite finishing with a strong 212 for a total of 1563. The top 6 will be joined by the top 3 local qualifiers and top 3 overseas qualifiers for another 8 games in Round 2 tomorrow.

The top 3 finishers at the end of Round 2 finals will proceed to the stepladder shootout finals to determine the champion and pocket the top prize of 200,000 Philippine peso (approx. US$3,800).