RP bowlers hit gutter in world championship

The Philippines bowed out of the medal hunt in the World Men’s Bowling Championships as Sweden and England sizzled with solid rounds to seize the 1-2 positions in the long oil pattern at the Homeplus Asiad Bowling Centre in Busan, South Korea yesterday.

Sweden’s Robert Andersson and Martin Larsen scorched the lanes in the third squad, combining for 2831 to take over the lead of the doubles event.

Larsen posted the highest 6-game series so far with 1459 while partner Andersson fell 1372 to give the Swedes a combined team total of 2831 for the lead. Spain set the pace early in the day but was soon overtaken by Sweden after the second game.

The English pair of Daniel Stride and Mike Quarry churned out a 2808 aggregate, also in the third squad, to finish second while Australia took third with 2746.

Host nation’s Joung Seoung-Joo and Jo Nam-Yi gave the local crowd plenty to cheer about as the duo snatched the lead at the halfway mark. The Swede proved too good chalking up 494 and 505 in games four and five to regain the lead.

Needing only 373 in their final game to overhaul overnight leader, Australia, the pair posted 458 to top the field.

The Philippines, which wound up second to Finland in the first squad behind Biboy Rivera and Chester King, dropped to fifth with a 2689 with one more squad set to see action at presstime.

Overnight leader Jason Walsh and Brandon Qualischefski of Australia were relegated to third on their total of 2746.

While Squad 1 leader, Lasse Lintila and Kimmo Lehtonen of Finland dropped out of a medal chance ending up in fourth with 2713.

With just one more squad to play, Sweden looks set for at least a medal with their strong performance. Martin Larsen also took over the individual all events standings with his 1459, 35 pins ahead of Rivera and Walsh, who are tied for second with 1424.

The RP squad 2 of Paeng Nepomuceno and CJ Suarez struggled with a 2443 while the squad 3 pair of Markwin Tee and Tyrone Ongpauco settled for 2425