Korean rolls 3rd RP Open ‘300’

Korea’s Uiwang pintopplers blew into town the other day and immediately made their presence felt in the 37th Philippine International Open tenpin bowling championships by grabbing the top three men’s Masters spots in the overseas pool at SM Bowling Center-Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Cha Ji Hyun sparked the Koreans’ torrid assault with 993 pinfalls, followed by 2007 ABT Philippine leg champion Oh Young Ki (974) and Kang Min Heuk (958). Kuwait’s Basel Al Anzi checked in fourth with 953 while another Kuwaiti, erstwhile leader Fahad Ali, dropped to fifth.

Cha later shot the third perfect game in the tournament organized by the Philippine Bowling Congress and supported by Ebonite International, Boysen Paints, Globe Telecoms, Pagcor, Amway Phils., Department of Tourism, Columbia, Hammer, Track, Air21, PCSO and Heritage Hotel Manila.

Cha rolled 12 consecutive strikes while playing in a trios’ game to join SLETBA’s Mil Tan and national bowler Paulo Valdez as the event’s 300 scorers. Cha’s other game, however, was only 199 and his team failed to make it to the event’s leaderboard.

Former Asian No. 1 Kim Eun Jung tallied 918 to finish ahead of 2007 Korat SEA Games Masters champion Sharon Limansantoso of Indonesia (871) and Hong Kong’s Agnes Chang (827) in the ladies’ Open Masters overseas pool.

Comebacking Paulo Valdez and defending champion Liza del Rosario maintained their lead in the local pool with 1063 and 932, respectively.

Former titlist Frederick Ong moved up to third in the men’s pool with 1012, 16 pins behind Raoul Miranda. National team rookies Dyan Coronacion and Krizziah Tabora carded 916 and 904 to rank second and third in the ladies’ group.

The top 16 bowlers in the Open Masters finals will qualify for the ABF Tour-Philippine leg set on June 29 also at the SM Bowling Center-MOA.