Benitez, Bautista upstage foreign bets

The unfamiliarity of the foreign bets with the Green Valley lanes had their local counterparts keeping the top spot in the 31st Boysen-PBC International Open yesterday.

Nationals Irene Benitez and RJ Bautista held sway on top of the men’s and women’s singles class O as the foreign campaigners struggled on their first day in the third leg of the CGU Asian Bowling Tour 2002.

Benitez’ 977 and Bautista’s 1009 pinfalls remained the best in their respective divisions, with Benitez likewise holding on to the lead in the women’s all events class O (1829) along with national team mentor Purvis Granger (1870) in the men’s side.

Of the foreign entries who saw action, only Shalin Zulkifli of Malaysia made headway, rolling 919 pinfalls to dislodge Ces Yap’s 898 for third place in the women’s singles class O of the event sponsored by Boysen, Philippine Sports Commission, Prudential Guarantee, Regent Foods, Bowlmart, Prima Pasta, Kegel, ILO Construction and official hotel Manila Galleria Suites.

Defending champions Tom Hahl and Jennifer Tan and the entire Singapore national team see action starting today.

Meanwhile, the Youth Masters finals will be held later in the day with RP Youth members Liza Clutario and Frederick Ong bannering the Filipinos’ side.<