29th June, Manila: Philippines celebrated yet another double victory when Benshir Layoso and Apple Posadas triumphed in the ABF Tour Philippines leg at SM Bowling Center on Sunday afternoon.

Layoso, who captured the 37th Philippines International Open a day earlier, defeated Chester King in an all-Filipinos final to win the Men's title while Apple Posadas beat Lovella Catalan in another all-Filipinas final to capture her second women's tour crown.

Philippine national squad and MTBA-Henrich member also became the fifth bowler in the ABF Tour history to bag the preceeding international open Men's title and the same leg back-to-back. Layoso had earlier sailed through the semi-final match against Korea's Cha Ji Hyun, 277-238 to reach the finals.

The 38-year-old was equally impressive in Round 2 when he shot 278 to knock out fellow compatriot, Paulo Valdez who posted 206. Layoso also defeated another Korean, Son Young Seok, 238-185 in Round 1.

But he had to work harder in the final title match against challenger, Chester King when the latter struck out to end with 234 forcing Layoso needing to strike home too to seal the victory which he duly oblidged to the delight of his supporters with 239.

"Winning my first international title yesterday was already a fantastic achievement for me and to also win my first tour title is amazing indeed," said the delighted champion. "It was a very hard fought match though as Chester (King) had also sailed through to the finals with ease.

King settled for second despite a fine run after he ousted fellow compatriot, Carlo Mansilungan, 239-215 to reach the finals. The runnerup was also superb in the earlier two rounds dispatching Clark Tiu, 235-200 in Round 2 and last year's champion, Oh Young Ki of Korea, 244-237 in Round 1.

Meanwhile, Apple Posadas gave Philippines another grand double when she outclassed Lovella Catalan in another all-Filipinas final, 258-199 to win the women's crown. Posadas, who won the 2005 Philippines Leg eliminated newly-crowned Philippines Open champion, Krizzah Tabora, 205-178 in the first semi-finals match to reach the final.

"When I knocked down five strikes in a row, I thought I had sealed the victory," said the 22-year-old Posadas. "But when Lovella (Catalan) shot a turkey, I was a bit worried. I was only relieved when I managed to followed it up with another three strikes.

The champion also defeated her younger sister, Lara, 200-159 in Round 2 and Dyan Coronacion, 226-205 in the first round. Catalan had earlier defeated Alexis Sy, 191-161 in the second semi-final match.

The runnerup edged Marjo Reyes, 179-173 in round 2 after beating Hong Kong's Agnes Chang, 191-158 in the first round. For further information and details, please contact ABF Tour Committee at Tel: +852 2893 6039, Fax: +852 2893 6290; Email: hktbc@netvigator.com.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Manila.