28th June, Manila: Philippines took an historical double victory when Krizzah Tabora and Benshir Layoso captured the Ladies' and Men's Open Masters titles of the 37th Philippines International Open at SM Bowling Center on Saturday evening.

Philippine national rookie and 17-year-old, Krizzah Tabora edged last year's runnerup and challenger, Nur Syakirah Yeoh of Malaysia, 205-204 to become the youngest-ever to win the coveted ladies' crown.

Nur Syakirah had the chance to take the match to the sudden-death decider had she spared her final frame. The Malaysian had taken control of the match with she strung together a turkey and a double strike and looked set to force the top-seed into a second match.

The challenger needed a strike in the final frame to confirm the win but left a stubborn pin 10 and suffered the agony to see her delivery going into the gutter. Krizzah had an open frame in the fifth but fought back galantly with a turkey from frame 8 ending with 205.

"I cannot imagine winning the title in my first attempt after being promoted into the national squad," said Tabora, who will also debut in the 20th Asian Championship in Hong Kong next week.

"I have to thank coach, Nico (Valderama) for advising me to change my line when I was struggling in the first five frames. The win will definitely give me the confidence when we compete in the Asian Championship.

Syakirah's failure to spare the last frame made her finished as first runner-up for two consecutive years despite a fine run to the finals. She had ousted two Filipinas and the Posadas sisters, Apple and Lara, 228-193-157 in the first match.

The Malaysian also knocked out another two Filipinas, defending champion, Lisa Del Rosario and Kim Lao, 192-180-167 in the second match to advance into the title match with Tabora. The champion ended the second round finals with 1748 to move into the finals as top seed.

Meanwhile, second seed and challenger, Banshir Layoso created history for his country when he defeated top seed, Jassim Darwish of Kuwait, 269-245 in the first match and 266-210 in the decider to clinch his first-ever international title.

Benshir, who has been a member of the Philippine national team since last year, had a real lucky break when winner of the first match, Joonee Gatchalian needed only to spare his final frame but missed the pin 7 to hand the match to Banshir by one pin.

"I've won many local titles but to win my first international title on home soil is a tremendous feeling," said Banshir, who is also Asian Championship bound. "I knew it would not be an easy match against Jassim (Darwish) who has been bowling well today.

The champion took the second match with 225 to edge third seed, Oh Young Ki of Korea and Gatchalian 224 to earn a crack at the title. Gatchalian, who shot the tournament's fifth perfect game, outclassed fellow compatriot, Chester King and Kuwait's Basel Al-Anzi, 290-222-234 in the first stepladder match.

Benshir won top prize of 250,000 pesos (approx. US$5,800) as Jassim took home 100,000 pesos (US$2,300) while Oh Young Ki, who finished third won 50,000 pesos (US$1,150). Krizzah Tabora won 100,000 pesos for her superb performance and Syakirah settled for 40,000 pesos.

The top 16 men and top 16 women made the cut for the ABF Tour Philippines leg which will be contested at the same venue tomorrow morning at 10.00am.

The 37th edition of the immensely popular Philippine International Open is proudly sponsored by EBONITE International, Boysen Paints, Globe Telecoms, PAGCOR, Amway Philippines, Department of Tourism, Columbia, Hammer, Track, Air21, PCSO and The Heritage Hotel Manila.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

27th June, Manila: Filipino national bowlers put up another dominating display in the Men's Open Masters first block of the 37th Philippines International Open with Benshir Layoso and Carlo Mansilungan finishing 1-2 at SM Bowling Center.

2006 Men's Open champion and national bowler, Biboy Rivera of TBA-Prima-NLEX, opened accounts with a superb 704 3-game series to take a 31 pin lead followed by fellow teammate, Clark Tui of BTA-Prima in second.

Rivera continued to lead the strong field in game 4 and 5 after consistently shooting 224 and 256 but by game 6, newly-crowned Youth Boys Masters champion, Jassim Darwish stormed into the front with 248 and 220 but just 1 pin ahead of the Filipino.

Darwish, however di not take advantage of Rivera's two subsequent low games which allowed TBAM-Prima's Carlo Mansilugan to surge to the lead followed closely by fellow teammate, Benshir Layoso of MTBA-Henrich, 20 pins adrift.

With the final game 8, the lead could fall to any of the top 5 challengers especially with so little separating them. But in the final crunch, Layoso prevailed with 226 to end the block in pole on a total of 1860.

Mansilungan gave Philippines plenty to celebrate, at least for today, finishing second with 1850, albeit 10 pins adrift the leader. Kuwaiti, Mohammed Al-Regebah stormed home to snatch third spot with 1842 while pace-setter, Rivera ended up in fourth with 1838.

Layoso, who was ropped into the national squad just two years ago, put in a poor showing at the Korat SEA Games. But the 38-year-old cosmetic sales representative hopes to make amends in the coming 20th Asian Championship in Hong Kong.

The top 6 local and top 6 overseas seeded qualifiers from the earlier qualifying rounds will be joined by the top 12 finishers in today's round 1 for another 8-games starting scratch. The top 6 at the end of the second round will advance into the stepladder finals.

The 37th edition of the immensely popular Philippine International Open is produly sponsored by EBONITE International, Boysen Paints, Globe Telecoms, PAGCOR, Amway Philippines, Department of Tourism, Columbia, Hammer, Track, Air21, PCSO and The Heritage Hotel Manila.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

27th June, Manila: 2005 ABF Tour Philippine champion, Apple Posadas of PBAP-Bowlmart-Brunswick led a Filipinas domination of 37th Philippines International Open Ladies' Open Masters first block finals occupying the top 6 positions at SM Bowling Center.

ABF Tour Grand Slam finalist, Marjo Reyes of TBAM-Prima-PJB, set a blistering pace to take the early lead with 233, 237 and 190 in the opening series but just 13 pins ahead of national kegler, Elaine Florencio of TBAM-Prima hot on her heels.

Reyes continued to lead the field of 17 finalists for the next series but by the seventh game, Reyes had Apple Posadas of PBAP-Bowlmart-Brunswick breathing down her neck and only 2 pins adrift.

Posadas picked up her pace at the halfway mark with 234, 218 and 235 after a sluggish start and then brought home another 235 to end the 8-game block in pole with a total of 1707.

"I didn't have the best of start but when I shot a good second game I thought I would get into a good rythmn," said Posadas, who won the 2005 ABF Tour Philippine Leg. "Then I lost a bit of concentration and shot two bad games.

"Fortunately, I had a much better second half and was more consistent. The last four games allowed me to catch up with the leaders," added the 22-year-old ex-national.

Pace-setter, Reyes settled for second with 1697, only 10 pins adrift while Florencio finished third with 1652 and a further 45 pins away. Lovella Catalan of MTBA and newly-rowned Youth Girl champion, Kim Lao made up the top 5 in fourth and fifth spots respectively.

The top 12 would join the top 3 local and top 3 overseas seeded qualifiers from the earlier rounds for another 8 games tomorrow. Making the final slot was Jaymee Bautisata of ATBA-Beta Squad averaging 193.13.

The 37th edition of the immensely popular Philippine International Open is produly sponsored by EBONITE International, Boysen Paints, Globe Telecoms, PAGCOR, Amway Philippines, Department of Tourism, Columbia, Hammer, Track, Air21, PCSO and The Heritage Hotel Manila.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

26th June, Manila: Korean bowlers made their presence felt as 2007 Asian Ranked No. 1, Kim Eun Jung stormed into the lead of the Ladies' Open Masters qualifying leaderboard of the 37th Philippines International Open on Thursday afternoon.

After a two month layoff due to a knee injury, Kim Eun Jung of Korea, who only had four days of practice before arriving Manila to compete in the on-going championship stormed into the lead with a scintilating 918. The 31-year-old had lines of 194, 266, 232 and 226 for pole position.

"I laid off bowling for two months and didn't had any practice at all and to be able post this score is indeed surprising," said Kim who skipped the Singapore and Hong Kong Open to recover from her injury.

Korat SEA Games Mastere gold medalist, Sharon Limnansantoso of Indonesia dropped to second on a score of 871 posted two days ago. Ex-international, Agnes Chang of Hong Kong impressed with 827 to take up third spot in the overseas pool.

Meanwhile Philippines national bowler, Dyan Coronacion of TBAM-Prima remained the lead in the local pool with 916 ahead of Krizziah Tabora of TBAM-Prima and Apple Posadas of PBAP-Bowlmart in second and third with 904 and 897 respectively.

Ex-international, Lenny Lim of Singapore became the first overseas bowler to shoot pass the 1,000-mark when he posted 1014 to grab the lead in the Men's Open division. Lim started moderately with 209 but set the lanes on fire as he reeled off 279, 237 and 289 to top the overseas pool.

"This is my fourth attempt in the open division after I had qualified in the Men's Graded division," said Lim. "Although many strong Asians are not here, the competition is still going to be tough. I hope I can repeat the form in the finals.

Ulsan's Cha Ji Hyun of Korea, who shot the tournament's third perfect 300 during his team event, totaled 993 to take up second slot followed by Kuwaiti, Yaqoub Al-Shati in third with 986.

Mil Tan shot the first 300 in the senior division while the second perfect game came from ex-international, Paulo Vadez of TBAM-Prima-Timberpro. Valdez topped the local pool with a superb 1063 with Raoul Miranda of MTBC-Henrich and Frederick Ong of TBAM-Prima second and third on scores of 1028 and 1012.

Qualifying ends late this evening and there will a a desperado squad for 3 Men's Open, 2 Ladies' Open and 3 each in the Men's and Ladies Graded divisions to join the other qualifiers for the finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

24th June, Manila: Jassim Darwish led a Kuwaiti 1-2 finish to bag the Youth Masters title of the 37th Philippines International Open while national bowler, Kim Lao of TBAM-Prima claimed the Youth Girl's crown.

Jassim set a blistering pace with 255, 289 and 280 in his opening series to leave the field trailing by 127 pins. The 19-year-old continued to reel in consisten lines of 216, 246, 214, 276, 283, 221 and 214 to end the 10-game finals with 2494 and a comfortable margin of 226.

The champion led his team-mate and 15-year-old, Mohamad Khaled to give Kuwait a 1-2 finish when Khaled totaled 2268 to claim second position. TBAM-Prima's Jayson Tubid, who was trailing the Jassim in the early stages settled for third with 2223.

2005 Asian Schools Masters gold medalist, Jayson Jumapao of CETBA-Prima-PJB and last year's perfect gamer, Jeff Chan made up the top 5 with 2157 and 2131 for fourth and fifth positions.

Asian Championship-bound, Kim Lao of TBAM-Prima, also impressed when she took the Youth Girl's crown with 2257, 119 pins ahead of her nearest rival. Lara Posadas of PBAM-Bowlmart finished second with 2138.

Krizziah Tabora, who also qualified in the Ladies' Open division, settled for third spot with a total of 2113 with TBAM-Prima's Marjo Reyes and Dyan Caronacion rounding up the top 5 with 2075 and 2026 respectively.

Qualifying will end on June 26 and the Open Masters first block finals will be contested on June 27. The second block will be staged on June 28 with the top 6 advancing to the stepladder finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw and Francis De Leon, PBC.

24th June, Manila: International Hall of Famer and 9-time Ladies' champion, Bong Coo flashed her old deadly form to claim the Ladies' Senior Masters of the 37th Philippines International Open at SM Bowling Center.

Bong Coo playing under the banner of MBA-Prima-Timberpro, shot 2150 in the 10-game finals with an 8-pin handicap to overtake pace-setter, Eve Lombos of PBA for the title. Lombos had led from the start until the champion unleashed a ferocious run in the last five games to bag her second senior title.

The 9-time Philippines Open Ladies' Open Masters champion who won the Senior crown of 2008 TBAM Open held in Green Valley in March, posted lines of 212, 169, 176, 196, 179, 235, 246, 235 and 202 for a 215 scratch average.

Coo still holds the record of having won the most number of the Ladies' Open Masters title in the tournament with nine, including a spectacular run of five consecutive titles in the late 80s.

"I'm grateful to the Lord who has given me the strength and patience to win this title at this stage of my life," said Bong Coo after the victory. "This is very special for me as it is my first Senior title in the Philippines International Open."

Francis Manalaysay of MTBA-Viking shared the spotlight with Coo when he overwhelmed his opponents with 2275 to win the Men's Senior title. Steve Robles of PBA and Joe Cabactulan of MTBC-Paggor finished second and third positions with 2142 and 2122 respectively.

Earl Lim of PBC-RCBC toppled the Rookie Masters finals with 1951 to shutout Paolo Darroca of PBA-PJB and Oliver Mandulag of MCTBA to claim the men's title. Merlen Pamintuan of MBA and a protege of Bong Coo, rallied in the last game to snatch the Ladies' Rookie crown away from leader, Meann Cabacungan of PTBA with 1813.

The qualifying rounds will end June 25 and the two blocks of the Men's and Ladies' Open Masters finals will be staged on June 26 and 27. The top 16 men and women will make the cut for the ABF Tour Philippines leg which will be contested on June 29.

Photos courtesy of PBC.

22nd June, Manila: Hall of Famers, Bong Coo and Paeng Nepomuceno stole the limelight on Day 10 of the on-going 37th Philippines International Open at SM Bowling Center in Pasay City.

Coo, who runs a successful garmet business and currently the secretary general of the Philippines Bowling Congress, made a clean sweep of the

Ladies' Graded doubles event occupying all the top 3 positions. The Hall of Famer partnered Abbie Gan for top spot with 798, Jinggay Facuri for second with 795 and Gina Avecilla for third with 784.

The nine-time Philippines Open champion, bowling for MBA-Prima-Timerpro also shot 880 to take up second spot behind Veijin Uy of MTBC-Henrich in the Ladies' Graded Masters qualifying table.

The Filipina veteran also chalked up 752 to occupy fourth spot in the Ladies' Senior division with Lynn Tan in pole on 863, Yoly Araullo in second on 807 and Eve Lombos on 805 in third.

Meanwhile, 6-time World champion, Paeng Nepomuceno representing PBC-Prima-Nutrilite narrowly missed scoring the tournament's third perfect game shooting 299 in the first game of his qualifying series. He followed it up with 226, 256 and 200 for a 981 series to haul himself up fro the mixed pool into sixth in the local pool.

Some of the early foreign participants competing in the 17-day championship made their presence felt. Kuwait's Fahad Ali shot 214, 235, 237 and 248 to take up top spot in the overseas pool with 934. Fellow compatriot, Yaqoub Al-Shati also impressed with 931 to occupy second spot.

Paulo Valdez of TBAM-Prima-Timberpro continued to top the table with

1063 posted three days ago with Raoul Miranda of MTBA-Henrich and Tyrone Ongpauco of TBAM-Prima in second and third with 1028 and 1008 respectively.

National kegler, Dyan Coronacion of TBAM-Prima took over the lead in the Ladies' Open division with a superb 904. Coronacion almost shot a perfect game for herself with a 299 in the second game.

Korat SEA Games Masters gold medalist, Sharon Limansantoso of Indonesia led the overseas pool with 871. The table will very quickly be filled as the foreign bowlers arrive Manila in the next two days for their qualifying rounds.

Last year's ABF Tour Philippines leg champion, Tang Joh Six of Malaysia, recent Hong Kong leg first runnerup, Oh Young Ki of Korea, 2007 Asian Ranked No. 1, Kim Eun Jung and last year's Ladies' Open Masters first runnerup are all expected to touch down on Monday.

Photos courtesy of PBC.

18th June, Manila: Three-time SEA Games Masters gold medalist, Paulo Valdez of TBAM-Prima staked his claim on the Men's Open Masters title of the ongoing 37th Philippines International Open by taking pole position.

Paulo Valdez knocked down 12 consecutive strikes in his third game of the 4-game second qualifying attempt to register the second perfect game of the tournament thus far. A day earlier, Valdez chalked up lines of 256, 258, 259 and 290 to take over pole position in the Men's Open Masters qualifying table with 1063.

His perfect game cemented his position firmly in front with and now leads teammates, Tyrone Ongpauco, who shot 1008 for second spot. Raul Miranda of Team MTBA did well to take up thid spot with 1007.

2005 Philippines Open champion, Chester King and Joone Gatchalian rounded up the top 5 in fourth and fifth positions on 986 and 968 respectively. Two-time Philippines Open champion, Biboy Rivera finished eighth with 956.

Philippines' national rookie, Khrizzia Tabora brought the crowd to its feet when she narrowly missed a perfect game in her qualifying round. The 15-year-old started with a moderate 194 opening game before setting the lanes on fire with 299.

Tabora then ended the round with 197 and 214 to lead the Ladies' Open Masters table with 904. Fellow Prima teammate, Kim Lao and Dyan Caronacion trailed in second and third in the table with 884 and 868.

Meanwhile, Leo Joson of LCTBA took over the lead in the Men's Graded Masters table with 927 as Veijin Uy of MTBC-Henrich grabbing the Ladies' Graded Masters lead with 939. The lead also changed hands in the Associate Masters table.

Kevin Custodio and Bettina Bayani, both of Beta Squad-MTBC, topped the Men's and Ladies' Associate Masters table with 899 and 885 while Enzo Hernandez of TBAM-Prima-PJB and Ofie Molina led the Men's and Ladies' Rookie leaderboard with 823 and 709.

Qualifying continues through to June 26 and the Masters finals will be staged over two days on June 27 and 28. The top 16 Asian men and top 16 Asian women will qualify for the ABF Tour Philippines leg to be held on June 29.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

16th June, Manila: Philippines' national youth team member, Marjo Reyes grabbed the early lead of the Ladies' Open Masters qualifying table of the 37th Philippines International Open underway at SM Bowling Centre, Mall of Asia at Pasay City.

Starting slowly with 182 in her opening game, the World Youth Championship bound, Marjo Reyes up her pace to knock down 235 and 214 in her two subsequent games. The ABF Tour Grand Slam finalists could only bring home 176 in her final game for a 4-game total of 807.

Team-mates, Holly Josef and Dyan Coronacion checked in with 781 and 768 to take up second and third behind Reyes in the local pool. Defending champion, Lisa Del Rosario of TBAM-Prima Philippines will be looking forward to her fourth Philippines Open title.

Rosario first took the title in 2000 then followed it up with another triumph in 2003. But it took the 31-year-old Filipina four years before she regained the crown last year after defeating Malaysia's Syakirah Yeoh.

Meanwhile, TBAM-Prima's John Racho took center stage as he scorched the lanes with impressive lines of 255, 256, 237 and 211 for a 959 total to take pole position in the Men's Open Masters qualifying leaderboard.

Ex-international, Joone Gatchalian of Zhen Life, who started superbly with 279 in his opening game, fell short by 6 pins to take up second behind Racho on a total of 953 followed by newcomer, Vener Reasonda of MTBA-Henrich third with 942.

Despite a tight schedule which is so close to the 20th Asian Championship in Hong Kong which starts on July 4, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong will defend the title he won last year.

Senior bowlers also took center stage in the 17-day long championship which kicked off on June 12. Sletba's Mil Tan stole the thunder from the big guns by rolling the tournament's first perfect game.

Tan, 58 and a manager of a local tobacco company, rolled his second career perfecto during the Doubles event on Sunday, June 15. Ironically, the perfect game came from the same pair of lanes where the first 300 was shot by Jeff Chan last year.

The 37th edition of the immensely popular championship is sponsored by EBONITE International, Boysen Paints, Globe Telecoms, PAGCOR, Amway Philippines, the Department of Tourism (DOT), Columbia, Hammer, Track, Air21, PCSO and the Heritage Hotel Manila.

Photos by Terence Yaw.