Paeng sets out for World Masters

MANILA, Philippines - Four-time World Cup champion Paeng Nepomuceno will play Finland’s Osku Palermaa, England’s Dominic Barrett and South Africa’s Guy Caminsky in bidding to qualify for the semifinals then finals of the $50,000 World Tenpin Masters at the Metrodome in Barnsley, England, on April 18-19.

Nepomuceno, 52, will try to become only the second bowler to win at least two Masters titles after beating England’s Steve Thornton, 422-402, for the 1999 crown. The other only bowler to capture multiple titles was Norway’s Tore Torgersen who won in 1998, 2002 and 2004.

At stake is the $20,000 first prize. The second placer earns $10,000 and the losing semifinalists, $5,000 each. The third placer in each group receives $3,000 and the fourth placer, $2,000.

There are only eight competitors in the invitational tournament and each is guaranteed at least $2,000 to take home.

Nepomuceno, Palermaa, Barrett and Caminsky are bracketed in Group 1 while Australia’s Jason Belmonte, Hong Kong’s Wu Sui Hong, USA’s Chris Barnes and England’s Matt Chamberlain are in Group 2.

The high-powered cast lists four Masters champions – Caminsky (2008), Belmonte (2007), Barnes (2006) and Nepomuceno (1999).

Nepomuceno plays Palermaa at 1 p.m. and Barrett at 6:30 p.m. on April 18. The next day, he faces Caminsky at 1 p.m. and if he finishes first or second in his group, will play his semifinal match at 6:30 p.m. If Nepomuceno makes it to the finals, he will go for the title right after the semifinals the same night.

Each player takes on a group-mate in two-game matches where a point is awarded for every game won. Ties will be settled by a sudden death ninth and 10th frame roll-off with scores reverting back to zero. After the single-round eliminations, the top two finishers in Groups 1 and 2 advance to the crossover knockout semifinals where the survivors play in the finals.

Nepomuceno will have his hands full against his opponents, particularly defending champion Caminsky who trounced Barnes, 526-517, in last year’s finals.

It will be the first time only eight players are competing in the Masters. Since its debut in 1998, the Masters has welcomed 16 participants. The previous knockout format shut the door on first round losers so that some players end up bowling only a single two-game match after flying long hours to England. Now, a player is assured of bowling at least three two-game matches.

“With only eight players, the standard will obviously be incredibly high,” said tournament director Luke Riches. “That should lead to some fantastic bowling and competitive matches which will be great for the packed crowd and great for TV.”

The matches will be shown in 15 one-hour episodes all over the world.

Last year, Biboy Rivera represented the Philippines in the Masters, bowing to Barrett, 492-458, in the first round.

During a break in the Masters finals, Nepomuceno will receive the 2009 World Bowling Writers Mort Luby Jr. Distinguished Service Award for his lifetime contributions to the sport.

“I offer my sincerest congratulations to Paeng on being recognized for this prestigious award,” said World Tenpin Bowling Association president Kevin Dornberger. “Not only has he proved over the years to be a top-notch competitor but he is also a world-class coach. I personally thank him for his contributions to bowling.”

Nepomuceno is cited thrice in the Guinness Book of World Records for winning four World Cup titles in three different decades, being the youngest to win the World Cup at 19 in 1976 and compiling the most career victories (118). He was awarded the International Olympic Committee President’s Trophy in 1999, a significant honor considering that bowling is not an Olympic sport. His seven-foot image is displayed at the entrance of the International Bowling Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Louis, Missouri.

Nepomuceno said if he wins the Masters again, it will set another record as the oldest champion. It will also be his seventh world title after four World Cups, one Masters and one World Invitational Tournament championship in 1984.

“What keeps me going is that I know I am in good shape because of my year-round physical regimen of going to the gym three to four times a week first thing in the morning for one hour,” he said. “The day I don’t go to the gym, I’m either swimming laps for 45 minutes or out cycling for an hour for stamina.”