Miranda moves up in bowling singles

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning men’s masters champion Raoul Miranda rolled a three-game series of 710 and wheeled into second place in the Class O singles of the 39th Philippine International Open Tenpin Bowling Championships last Thursday.

A double gold medalist in the 2008 Asian kegfest, Miranda opened with a crackling 268 in the first game but tapered off in carding 218 and 228 in the next two, 22 pins off frontrunner Benshir Layoso, who remained on top with a 732 at the Paeng’s Midtown Bowl inside the Robinson’s Place in Ermita, Manila.

Dropping to third place was Frederick Ong, a member of the national pool like Miranda and Layoso, with a 677 in the tourney organized by the Philippine Bowling Congress and sponsored by UPHS Dalta and Jonelta Systems, Pagcor Sports, DOT, PSC, PCSO, Amway and Colgate Palmolive.

There was no change, however, in the ladies Class O singles with Liza Clutario (1,395), Lara Posadas (1,302) and Liza del Rosario (1,271) retaining their 1-2-3 positions in the event also serving as national team tryout for the Guangzhou Asian Games in November.

On the other hand, Benshir Layoso was perched on top of the Class O men’s masters qualifiers with an output of 1,416, Ong was second (1,345) and Paeng Nepomuceno third (1,342).

Rounding out the top 12 qualifiers thus far were Biboy Rivera , 4th, 1,271; Joonee Gatchalian, 5th, 1,227; Richie Poblete, 6th, 1,218; Collins Jose, 7th, 1,212; Gypo Poblete, 8th; 1,211; Paulo Valdez, 9th; 1,193; Jeremy Posadas; 10th; 1,187; Chester King, 11th,1,186; and Marc Serac, 12th; 1,186.

Clutario (1,258), Del Rosario (1,158) and Lara Posadas (1,150) occupied the top three places in the ladies’ Class O masters qualifiers, while Alexis Sy (1,144), Mades Arles (1,140) and Kim Lao (1,130) were in fourth to sixth spots, respectively.

The men’s masters champion will pocket P250,000 while the ladies’ titlists will take home P100,000 in the event, which also awards world and Asian ranking points since it is sanctioned by both the World Tenpin Bowling Association and the Asian Bowling Federation.