Marquez, 3 others prevail in Open bowl

MANILA, Philippines - PBA’s Jesse Marquez, MTBA’s Lydia Castro, TBAM/Prima/Phl’s Enzo Hernandez and BTA/Prima’s Kim Lao emerged champions in four events to share the spotlight with a couple of Malaysian pintopplers Thursday in the 42nd Philippine International Open tenpin bowling championships at Sta. Lucia Mall Center in Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall in Cainta, Rizal.

Marquez and Castro ruled the Rookie Masters’ competition with 2014 and 1764 pinfalls in 10 games, respectively.

Hernandez and Lao shot 2103 and 1956 in 10 games, respectively, to reign supreme in the Youth Masters’ event.

Malaysians Dayang Khairnuiza and Hee Kar Yen took over top spot in three events – Class O ladies’ singles, All Events and ladies’ Open Masters elimination – as they challenged their Filipino counterparts in the prestigious 15-day kegfest sanctioned by WTBA and ABF, organized by PBC in cooperation with Sta. Lucia Mall,. Boysen Paints, POC, PSC and PCSO and supported by the University of Perpetual Help System, Richmonde Hotel Ortigas and the National Bowling Tour.

Marquez, boosted by two big games of 233, ripped teammate Marvin Hiponia (1901) and MTBA’s Ramil Bonus (1766) while Castro pulled away from PBAP’s Maja Macaisa (1582) and MTBA’s Rowena Cabas (1531).

Hernandez nosed out Cebuano Jomar Jumapao by two pins and Cebu’s Heber Alqueza (2028), while Lao won her second Youth Masters crown over TBAM/Prima/Phl’s Rachelle Leon (1929) and Krizziah Tabora (1927).

Khairnuiza turned out to be Malaysia’s best performer Thursday, shooting 704 in singles to pace teammate Hee (702) and 1372 to move ahead in the Open Masters’ qualifying round.

Khairnuiza rolled 1511 to finish ahead in the Class O All Events, followed by two more Malaysians – Khairuniza (1460) and Syaidatul Afifah (1417).

The first round of the men’s Open Masters event and the Graded Masters finals were being played at press time yesterday.