National bowlers head roster in WC elims

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s representatives to the 45th Bowling World Cup international finals will be known today as 16 remaining aspirants – eight men and eight women – open their respective bids starting with the quarterfinals at Paeng’s Eastwood Bowl.

National bowlers Benshir Layoso and Liza del Rosario head the strong field, which includes four-time World Cup champion Paeng Nepomuceno.

Layoso rallied with big games in five of his last 12 games last Wednesday to score 5114 pinfalls in 24 games and surge ahead of former national World Cup titlist Paolo Valdez (5110) and Nepomuceno (5098) in the men’s division.

Except for a low game of 164, Del Rosario performed consistently to chalk up 4113 in 20 games and overtake fellow RP player Krizziah Tabora (2993) and first-day leader Jayme Bautista (3945) in the ladies’ division.

The other bowlers still in the hunt for the title are:

Ladies - Rachelle Leon (3619), Bettina Bayani (3608), Letty Pineda (3566), Alice Cabazor (3536) and Janet Abril (3480).

Men - Louie Chuaquico (5091), Tyrone Ongpauco (4961), Jong Enriquez (4943), Carlo Mansilungan (4938) and Raoul Miranda (4923).

With their scores carried over, the remaining contenders roll another eight games with the top three in each division advancing to the best-of-three knockout matches in the semifinals and finals.

The champions, if they are RP passport holders, will carry the national colors in the international finals set on Nov. 14-21 in Melaka, Malaysia.

After emerging as first-day frontrunner at 2632, Layoso fell behind Valdez. But he suddenly found his touch starting in the 21st game where he rolled a 214. He followed this with 224, 225, 257 and 268 to move past Valdez by four pins.

Low games of 169 and 170 in the 20th and 23rd games pulled down Valdez.

Nepomuceno remained in contention with big games of 235, 245, 249 and 247.