28th September, Manila: Syafiq Ridhwan of Malaysia, successfully retained the 11th PBAP-Bevida Storm International Classic Open Masters crown defeating Hall of Famer, Paeng Nepomuceno in the title match on Sunday.

National backup squad member, Syafiq Ridhwan could not have asked for a better 'Hari Raya' gift as he edged four-time AMF World Cup champion, Paeng Nepomuceno of the Philippines, 234-227 in the stepladder match.

The 22-year-old start with a double strike to take an early lead but his Filipino challenger had drawn level by the fourth frame. Syafiq struck a turkey to draw away seemingly to an easy victory.

A single pin miss might have cost the Malaysian dearly as Nepomuceno brought in a double strike in the eighth anf ninth frames. Fortunately, Syafiq regained his composure to down a turkey from the ninth frame and ending with 234 and forcing his opponent to strike home.

As luck was not on the Filipino's side, Nepomuceno hit nine pins leaving a stubborn pin 7 standing thus ending with 227. The victory is a first-ever for a Malaysian to have successfully defended the immensely popular classic title which gave Syafiq a winning purse of 150,000 peso (approx. US$3,200).

Nepomuceno settled for second and 80,000 peso despite edging out second-seed, Michael Mak of Hong Kong and winner of the first match, Christyn Chew of Malaysia, 220-218-218.

Chew, the sixth-seed and only female to make the stepladder finals, had earlier dispatched fourth-seed, Pasut Punsanthanveekul of Thailand and Kelvin Keong of Malaysia, 211-185-194 in the first match.

She also squeezed into the finals by beating Korea's Kim Eun Jung in the tie-breaker after both had tied in sixth position with 1775 in the earlier 8-game finals contested.

Malaysia's Muhd Nur Aiman missed the cut for the stepladder finals finishing eighth with 1770, just 5 pins from Chew and Kim while top qualifier, Chester King could not repeat his earlier form to end up a dismal 14th.

Photos by Yap Kok Wee, Pearl Bowlers Association.

27th September, Manila: Hong Kong's 14-year-old sensation, Michael Mak outshone his older peers to capture the Youth Masters title of the 11th PBAP-Bevida Storm International Classic on Saturday evening.

Michael Mak, who topped the three round preliminary qualifying round, carried forward his form to post and incredible 1881 over the 8-game finals to win his first-ever international title.

The talented Mak did not make a single mistake posting all 200-above games with 239, 215, 237, 248, 218, 268, 241 and 215 to deny Filipino youngster, Jomar Jumapao a home victory.

Jumapao settled for second with 1852 despite putting in a late rally with 258, 257 and 226 in his last three games. Malaysia's Syimir Abdul Razak came home third with 1838. Philippines' Collins Jose and Malaysia's Kang Bo Long rounded up the top 5 with 1778 and 1730 respectively.

Meanwhile, Filipina Liza Del Rosario ended the fine run of Singapore's Sunny Man to take the victory in the Classified division. Rosario, who topped the earlier 8-game finals, lost the first match, 202-218 to Sunny.

But in the deciding match, Rosario rebounded with a comfortable win over her challenger, 258-219 to seal the match and the title. Sunny settled for second despite beating second-seed, Francis Manalyasay and Liza Clutario, 236-202-171 in the second match.

The fourth-seed also eliminated fifth-seed, Chen Po Yu of Chinese Taipei and compatriot, Andrew Lee, 233-176-205 in the first stepladder match. Top qualifier, Jeremy Fang failed to finish in the money after a dismal 13th position.

Photos by Yap Kok Wee, Pearl Bowlers Association.

26th September, Manila: Overnight leader, Chester King of the Philippines retained the overall lead at the end of the third block of the 11th PBAP-Bevida Storm International Classic contested on Friday.

With just 13 pins ahead of his nearest rival going into the third and final block of the preliminary qualifying round, Asian Championship two gold medalist, Chester King only managed 1688 to keep his pole position with 5228 total.

Fortunately his rivals did not take advantage of the opportunity as Hong Kong's 14-year-old youngster, Michael Mak shot 11 pins less than the Filipino to settle for second with 5204 and 24 pins adrift.

Last year's Asian Ranked No. 1, Kim Eun Jung of Korea became the best female performer and with 8 pins handicap throughout the 24 games has hauled herself into contention for the title with 5186 total in in third spot.

Hall of Famer and USBC ambassador, Paeng Nepomuceno demonstrated that he has what it takes to be a title contender to finish fourth with a total of 5152 followed by Filipino youngster, Jomar Jumapao rounding up the top 5.

First block Youth leader, Pasut Punsanthanveekul of Thailand survived the free-fall after two disasterous blocks to finish 24th and squeezed into the next round with 4889 and 203.71 average.

Japan's Morinishi Yoshiharu missed the cut by just 4 pins after finishing 25th position with 4885 despite a strong final game of 212.

Micahel Mak's 5204 gave the Hong Kong youth pole position in the Youth division to lead Jomar Jumapao in second. Filipina Lara Posadas claimed third spot with 5020.

Chinese Taipei's Tseng Yu-Ching, who only managed a scratch average of

172.63 made the final cut in 24th position thanks to a 15 pin handicap to push Malaysia's Tengku Emanina Laily into 25th position.

Meanwhile, Singapore bowlers retained the top 2 positions in the Classified division with Jeremy Fang and Andrew Lee first and second with 5314 and 5028 respectively.

Filipina, Lara Posadas finished third with 5020 ahead of Korea's Kim Eun Jung and another Filipina, Liza Del Rosario completed the top 5 on totals of 4994 and 4941.

The top 24 Youths will contest their finals over 7 games with the eighth game as position round to determine the winners.

The top 24 in the Open and Classified division will bowl their semifinals over 8 games with the top 6 advancing into the stepladder finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

25th September, Manila: Philippine national team member, Chester King ruled the lanes at Paeng's Midtown Bowl in the second block on Thursday to take over the lead in the Open division of the 11th PBAP-Bevida Storm International Classic.

King displayed his consistent form that helped him to bag two gold medals in the Asian Championship in Hong Kong two months ago with another superb 8-game series of 1754 to complement his 1786 in the first block for a 3540 total and the overall lead.

14-year-old Michael Mak of Hong Kong surprised the field to shoot 1766 in the second block to add to his yesterday's 1761 giving him a total of 3527 to take up second spot. Hong Kong bowlers made their mark with Asian Championship Doubles gold medalist, Cyrus Cheung finishing third with 3512.

Cheung's gold medal winning partner, Eric Tseng knocked down the tournament's first perfect 300 in his opening game of the second block and ending with 1742 to give him a total of 3504 and fourth position.

Malaysia's top performer, Christyn Chew put in a spirited performance to finish a strong fifth with 3484 followed by 2007 Asian Ranked No. 1, Kim Eun Jung of Korea, who improved on her poor first block, in the top 5 with 3443.

Overnight leader, Jason Yeong-Nathan of Singapore only managed 1595 in the second block dropping down to seventh with a two-block total of 3438 while Liza Del Rosario led Philippine's charge in eighth with 3424.

Hong Kong youths dominated the Youth division with Michael Mak moving up to pole position with 3527 followed by perfect gamer, Eric Tseng in second and Ken Lin third with 3504 and 3364 respectively.

Jomar Jumapao and Lara Psadas led Philippine's charge with a fourth and fifth position finishers while Malaysia's Syimir Abdul Razak and Kang Bo Long took sixth and seventh positions ahead of overnight leader, Pasut Punsanthanveekul of Thailand eighth.

Singapore bowlers continued to show the way in the Classified division with Jeremy Fang taking over the top spot with 3532. Overnight leader, Andrew Lee managed 3370 for second spot and Lara Posadas third with 3316.

Bowlers will return to the lanes for their third and final qualifying block of 8 games on Friday. The top 24 in all the three divisions will make the cut for the next round on Saturday.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

24th September, Manila: Team Singapore member, Jason Yeong-Nathan rolled 1843 in the opening squad of the 11th PBAP-Bevida Strom International Classic and remained overall leader when three squads completed their first block.

The 11th edition of the immensely popular international classic got wnderway at Paeng's Midtown Bowl at Robinson Place with over 100 bowlers from different parts of Asia in the first block of 8 games in the Open, Classified and Youth divisions.

Asian Championship Trios bronze medalist and 2005 National champion, Jason Yeong-Nathan set the benchmark with a superb 1843 in Squad A followed by Chester King of the Philippines in second with 1786 and fellow compatriot, Shaun Ng third with 1772.

Thailand's Pasut Punsanthaveekul, who topped the second squad with 1828, fell short by 15 pins to topple the Singaporean for the pole position. Asian Championship Doubles gold medalist, Eric Tseng of Hong Kong took

second position in Squad B ahead of team-mate, Michael Mak third with 1761.

In the third and final squad of the day, Chinese Taipei's Yang Nien-Hua managed only 1711 to top the squad but finished 132 pin off the pace. Pasut retained second with Liza Del Rasario third overall.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong Open Graded champion, Andrew Lee of Singapore, snatched pole in the Classified division in the final squad with 1764. Lee finished 38 pins ahead of Filipina and Squad A leader, Liza Del Rosario, who settled for second with 1726.

Jeremy Fang almost gave Singapore a 1-2 finish if not for a poor game of 178 in his final game to drop to third. Fang shot 1683 with a 10 pin per game handicap.

In the Youth division, Pasut Punsanthaveekul's 1828 gave him the lead and ahead of two Hong Kong youths. Eric Tseng and Michael Mak took second and third spots followed by Malaysia's Syimir Abdul Razak and another Hong Kong youth, Ken Lin rounding up the top 5.

The top 24 in each of the three divisions after three blocks will qualify to the second round. The top 3 in the Youth divisions will be declared the winners while the top 6 fro the Classified and Open divisions will advance to the stepladder finals.

The organizers of the 11th PBAP-Bevida Storm International Challenge are very thankful and proud of their sponsors. Euro-Med Laboratories, Bevida distilled drinking water, Storm Products, Roto Grip, AZO, Wave products, Manila Hotel, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Airlines, and Bowlmart Training Institute.

Photos by Terence Yaw.