Dytoc waxes hot, paces World Cup

PATTAYA, Thailand — Benny Dytoc, a 36-year-old bowling pro shop operator from the Philippines, sizzled from start to finish Sunday night to pace the first eight games of the 37th AMF-Bowling World Cup international finals here.

Dytoc, a lefthander nicknamed "The Dragon," averaged 236.5 on the strength of an eight-game series of 1892 pins to take a 66-pin lead over Mexico’s Daniel Falconi, who tallied 1826 for a 228.25 average.

Dytoc, a gold medalist in the recent Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia, said he thought the World Cup conditions were a little easier than those he encountered in the SEA Games.

"I thought the condition for lefthanders was a little tighter than what I found today. Both sides, right and left, are scoring well right now," Dytoc said.

As to feeling the pressure of a tournament leader, Dytoc said, "I don’t think of it as pressure. It’s more of a compliment from the Lord. I leave everything up to him. Some bowlers get very emotional when they play, but I try just to have a good time."

Anders Ohman of Sweden, who led after the first squad earlier in the day, was in sixth place with 1775 pins.