Layoso, Arles bag title, trip to Russia

MANILA, Philippines - A dental cosmetics agent and a second-year high school teacher fulfilled their dreams of playing against the world’s best pintopplers by winning the Bowling World Cup national crown last Friday at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay.

Benshir Layoso, 44-year-old national bowler, finally made it to the international finals of the world’s most prestigious individual competition after seven tries by beating fellow national athlete Raoul Miranda, 2-0 (225-211, 200-157) in the men’s showdown.

Mades Arles, a 25-year-old former Youth Masters titlist, shocked last year’s winner Krizziah Tabora, 2-1 (225-179, 175-217, 248-199) in the ladies’ finals.

With their respective wins, Layoso and Arles earned the right to represent the country in the international finals at the Sibiryak Bowling Center in Krasnoyarsk, Russia on Nov. 14-24 this year.

“I’m so happy. I finally won what other bowlers dreamed about,” said Layoso, who manages to bowl with the help of sponsors and his earnings as a sales agent.

Arles, who teaches at Pares Roshill School in Antipolo, said her triumph was “unexpected but I am so happy.” 

Both Layoso and Arles, a Bowlmart member and a protégé of ex-national coach Johnson Cheng, are excited about their coming trip.

Layoso, Jeremy Posadas and Miranda advanced to the finals by posting scores of 6597, 6507 and 6432, respectively, after playing eight more games.

Miranda nipped Posadas, 40-37, in the tiebreaker after they tied at 224 in the first game, and then won again, 237-188, to arrange the match with Layoso

Tabora finished No. 1 with 5627, followed by Arles (5496) and veteran internationalist Liza del Rosario (5417) after rolling eight games each.  Arles then knocked out Del Rosario, 2-1 (205-202, 183-207, 218-207) to gain a shot at Tabora, who wound up 14th in last year’s international finals in Wroclaw, Poland.

Those who failed to make the semifinals were Nicco Olaivar, who tallied 6337; Sammy Say Sy (6327), J. Em Ang (6324), Jeff Carabeo (6294), Paeng Nepomuceno (6262), Lara Posadas (5374), Rachelle Leon (5307), Abbie Gan (5081), Jaymee Calderon (4960) and Myrna Bautista (4904).

Despite her busy schedule, Arles sees the need to be in top shape for her coming stint in Russia.  “It’s a rare chance to play in the company of other national champions so I have to train hard,” said Arles.