19th May, Manila: 2019 Philippine Open Youth Girl's Masters second runner-up, Grace Gella of Philippines is vying for her first title at the PBF 4th Philippine International Open 2023 after taking over the lead in the Women's Open Masters local qualifying pool.

Gella, who was in second spot behind overnight leader and 2017 QubicaAMF World Cup champion, Krizziah Macatula by just two pins on 1274, improved her 6-game tally to 1349 to take over top spot.

Macatula settled for second with 1337 while Alexis Sy, who missed the podium after finishing fourth at the 2022 SEA Games Women's Team event, also improved from fifth overnight to take up third position with 1313. The top 3 in the local pool will earn a bye for Round 2 finals on Sunday.

There were no change of the lead in the overseas pool with first perfect gamer, Jazreel Tan remaining unchallenged with 1417. Siti Safiyah Amirah of Malaysia did well to move up from sixth position to second with 1324.

Meanwhile, Darren Ong and Timothy Tham of Singapore remained in first and second positions in the Men's Open overseas pool with 1483 and 1469 respectively. 2023 Asian Championships Masters gold medallist, Rafiq Ismail of Malaysia took third spot with 1448.

Azriq Izamuddin of Malaysia, Ryan Toh and Muhd Jaris Goh of Singapore occupied fourth to sixth positions with 1432, 1423 and 1422 respectively. 2018 World Men's Championships Doubles gold medallist, Tun Hakim of Malaysia headed the mixed pool with 1340.

The cut in 20th position in the mixed pool went to debutant, Kim Hee Jun of Korea with 1274, averaging 212.33. There were two more squads remaining at press time.

A one-game Desperado squad will also be held after the last squad of 11.30pm for the top 3 men and top 2 women a chance to make the finals. There will also be 3 Men's Grade A and 2 Women's Grade A qualifiers from the Desperado Squad.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Manila.