15th June, 2002: Malaysia's top National bowler, Shalin Zulkifli grabbed her second Masters title of the year by winning the women's crown of 31st Boysen-PBC Philippines Open at Green Vally Country Club, Pasiq City. Filipino Frederick Ong took the men's title.

The 24 year-old reigning Asian top bowler, defeated Taiwanese Wang Yu Ling 203-186 in the sudden death palyoff to bag the Masters title. Shalin, who won the Thailand Open Masters title last month, was in fiery form when she snatched the lead from Philippines Liza Clutario after another eight games in the second block yesterday. However, all seemed lost in the step-ladder finals when Asian Games Gold medalist Yu Ling won 238-201 to force the playoff.

But Shalin proved that she was getting wiser and better in the knock-out format when she hung on to beat Yu Ling 203-186 to bag her second consecutive title. Yu Ling had earlier disposed of another Malaysian, Sarah Yap and Liza Clutario to set up the final clash with her score of 207. Sarah and Liza only managed 180 and 187 respectively.

In the first step-ladder match, Sarah defeated former World Cup champion Tseng Su Fen of Chinese Taipei and SEA Games Gold medalist, Liza Del Rosario of the Philippines in a closely fought match. Sarah knocked down 220 nine pins ahead of Su Fen's 211 and 19 pins more than Liza's 201.

"I made mistakes in the first game, but kept on fighting. In the second game, I still made mistakes but did not give up. I am happy to have acheived my goal," said the 2001 Sportswomen of the Year.

In the men's division, Philippines' Frederick Ong survived a strong challenge from USA's Purvis Granger in another sudden death playoff to capture his first major international title. Granger won the first game 202-186 but bowed out to Frederick 217-223 in the second final game. Azidi Ameran failed to make it a double joy for Malaysia when he lost in the first step-ladder finals. Azidi, who finished third after the second block of eight games, managed only 192 pins against American Granger who scored an impressive 248 while Filipino Duane Camacho scored 222.

Granger had also earlier beaten Singapore's Lim Zhong and Shaun Ng with 239 against Lim's 187 and Ng's 181 to move up to the second match. But Granger failed to maintain his good run when he bowed out to the Filipino Frederick.

The top 14 Asian Men and Women making the cut for the CGU Asian Bowling Tour Philippines leg will be playing their first and second round knock-out matches commencing on 16th June at Pearl Bowling Centre.

14th June, 2002: Last year's Penang International Open champion, Liza Clutario of the Philippines topped the women division in the first block Masters finals in the 31st Boysen-PBC Philippines Open at Green Valley Country Club, Pasiq City, Manila.

Liza scored a total of 1,806 over 8 games, almost 100 pins ahead of joint-second placed, Shalin Zulkifli (1,709) from Malaysia and Korea's Shin Hyun Soo. The Malaysian top national bowler will be looking for her second title of the year after capturing the Thailand Open last month when she started off poorly but came home strongly to finish second. Another Malaysian, Sarah Yap did well to be placed fourth with 1,700.

Former Wolrd Cup champion, Tseng Su Fen of Chinese Taipei, took fifth spot with 1,681 with CGU ABT 2001 Grand Slam champion, Lee Mi Young of Korea in sixth with 1670. Three Filipino women occupied the next three positions, Jojo Canare (1,656), Liza Del Rosario (1,655) and Irene Benitez (1,651) in seventh to nineth while Chinese Taipei's Wang Yu Ling finished top ten with 1,626.

Filipino bowlers dominated the first block when Frederick Ong took the lead with 1,836 from fellow countrymen, Duane Camacho who scored 1.774 pinfalls. Newcomer, Masahiro Hibi of Japan did well to finish third just four pins behind. Philippines' national coach and player, Purvis Granger is fourth with 1,758 while Singapore's Lim Zhong took fifth spot with 1,731.

Sixth place went to Philippines' Chester King scoring 1,720 and CGU ABT Grand Slam champion, Sung Il Lee in seventh on 1,691. Thailand's Watcharapong U. (1,687), Singapore's Remy Ong (1,685) and Malaysia's Gerald Samuel (1,679) completed to top ten in eight, noneth and tenth respectively.

The finalists will play the second block of 8 games today (Friday 15th June) where the top 6 men and women bowlers will proceed to the step-ladder grand finals. The top 14 Asian Men and Women will make the cut for the

CGU Asian Bowling Tour Philippines leg which will be played on the 16th and 17th June at Pearl Bowling Centre.

The 2nd-runnerup of last month's Thailand Open, Liza del Rosario scored 981 to take over the lead from teammate, Irene Benitez who dropped to second on 977. 34th Singapore Open champion, Wendy Chai of Malaysia moved up to third spot overall and lead the overseas pool with 950 while Singapore's 16 year-old Valerie Teo also improved to 4th overall and 2nd just 13 pins behind Wendy.

The overnight overseas pool leader, Sharon Chai of Malaysia dropped to third with 920 and fifth overall while teammate and Asian Bowler of the Year, Shalin Zulkifli lies in sixth place with 919.

There is no change in the Women's Doubles standings with Liza del Rosario and Cecilia Yap leading with 911. Philippines team of Liza Clutario, Jojo Canare and Liza del Rosario top the team with 1,207 while Korean is second with 1,201 dislodging the Thai to third with 1,197. World Ranking Masters champion, Jennifer Tan of Singapore is the defending champion.

In the Men's division, R.J. Bautista maintained his lead in the local and overall qualifying table with 1,009 from the overseas pool leader and CGU ABT semi-finalist, Shaun Ng of Singapore on 1,000. Third is Philippines' Botchock Rey with 998 while last year's Penang International Open champion, Gerald Samuel of Malaysia is second in the overseas pool and fourth overall with 989. Teammate and last year's Philippines Invitational Classic champion, Ben Heng is fifth with 969.

1990 and 1992 Asian Bowler of the Year, Paulo Valdez who has layed off bowling for a while, is back and have made the finals with a score of 945.

R.J. Bautista continued to lead the Men's Singles while Shuan Ng moved up to second misplacing Botchock Rey to third. The Korean men impressed by leading the Men's Doubles as well as taking third spot pushing down the Filipino into second. The Korean pair of M.H. Oh and J.Y. Kim scored 913 against Philippines' CHester King and Purvis Granger's 872 while third-place score was 883. Singapore's Tom Hahl is the defending champion.

The top 23 women qualifiers together the defending champion and the top 35 men qualifiers together with the defending champion will play 8 games today (Friday 14th June) and another 8 games on Saturday. The top 6 men and women bowlers at the end of the finals will proceed to the step-ladder grand finals. At the end of the finals on Saturday, the top 14 Asian Men and Women will make the cut for the CGU Asian Bowling Tour Philippines leg to be played on the 16th and 17th June at Pearl Bowling Centre.

Thailand International Open champion, Shalin Zulkifli is second just one pin behind Sharon and is fourth overall. CGU ABT China leg champion, Yap Seok Kim of Singapore shares fifth spot with Alice Tay on 901 while Malaysia's Sarah Yap shares sixth place with Cecilia Yap of the Philippines on 898. Irene still leads the Women's Singles and All Events while Shalin Zulkifli moved to second in the All Events.

There is no change in the Women's Doubles standings with Liza del Rosario and Cecilia Yap leading with 911. Philippines team of Liza Clutario, Jojo Canare and Liza del Rosario top the team with 1,207 while Korean is second with 1,201 dislodging the Thai to third with 1,197. World Ranking Masters champion, Jennifer Tan of Singapore is the defending champion.

In the Men's division, R.J. Bautista topped the local and overall qualifying table with 1,009 from the overseas pool leader and CGU ABT semi-finalist, Shaun Ng of Singapore on 1,000. Third is Philippines' Botchock Rey with 998 while last year's Penang International Open champion, Gerald Samuel of Malaysia is second in the overseas pool and fourth overall with 989. Teammate and last year's Philippines Invitational Classic champion, Ben Heng is fifth with 969. R.J. Bautista continued to lead the Men's Singles while Shuan Ng moved up to second misplacing Botchock Rey to third. The Korean men impressed by leading the Men's Doubles as well as taking third spot pushing down the Filipino into second. The Korean pair of M.H. Oh and J.Y. Kim scored 913 against Philippines' Chester King and Purvis Granger's 872 while third-place score was 883. Singapore's Tom Hahl is the defending champion.

The top 23 women qualifiers together the defending champion and the top 35 men qualifiers together with the defending champion will play in the masters semi-finals starting tomorrow. At the end of the finals on Saturday, the top 14 Asian Men and Women will make the cut for the CGU Asian Bowling Tour Philippines leg to be played on the 16th and 17th June at Pearl Bowling Centre.