Paeng finishes third in Saudi int’l tourney

Paeng Nepomuceno fell short of his bid in the second Kingdom International Open, bowing to Naif Oqab in the stepladder semis at the Universal Bowling Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Nepomuceno, a four-time World Cup champion, held his own in the elims but failed to sustain his charge in the double elimination match play and lost to Oqab, 423-473, for the right to face Shakers Al-Hassan for the crown.

Al-Hassan defeated Oqab, 224-208, in the title showdown between the top two seeded players.

Al-Hassan emerged as the lone undefeated player in the double elimination match play finale after beating Oqab in the final of the winners bracket.

Oqab fought back from the losers’ side by ousting Nepomuceno in two games, to gain a crack at the crown.

Oqab received $18,000 for the second place, Nepomuceno pocketed $12,000 for finishing third while Al-Hassan took the top $30,000 purse.