Rivera, Clutario out of final round

JOHANNESBURG – Former world champion Biboy Rivera and veteran internationalist Liza Clutario finished fifth and sixth, respectively, in the QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup the other day at the Northcliff bowling center here.

Rivera collected a total of 8536 points, including bonuses, for a 237.11 average in the men’s division while Clutario tallied 7922, including bonuses, for a 220.06 average in the women’s competition.

Rivera and Clutario, who earned the right to carry the Philippine colors in the international finals by winning the national titles, easily made it to the quarterfinals after the 20-game qualifying round.

But they lost their touch in the eight-game match-play competition to determine the top three bowlers who will figure in the stepladder finals set late Wednesday.

American Tommy Jones and Dominican Republic ’s Aumi Guerra led the standings after the round of eight.

Jones rolled a total of 8977 while Guerra submitted 8703.

Australia ’s Jason Belmonte checked in second in the men’s division with 8790, followed by Ukraine ’s Mykhaylo Kalika (8635), Argentina ’s Lucas Legnani (8627), Rivera, Finland ’s Kimmo Lehtonen (8394), South Africa ’s Francois Louw (8387) and Belgium ’s Mats Maggi (8375).

American Diandra Asbaty finished behind Guerra with 8426, followed by Sweden ’s Sandra Andersson (8246), Singapore ’s Cherie Tan (8181), Finland ’s Krista Pollanen (7974), Clutario, Netherlands ’ Wendy Kok (7921) and England ’s Lisa John (7249).