16 bowlers duel for BWC national title, Las Vegas trip

MANILA, Philippines — It’s make or break for eight male and eight female pintopplers today as they gun for the 2018 Bowling World Cup national title at Paeng’s Eastwood Bowl and the trip to the 54th international event on Nov. 4-11 in Sam’s Town, Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 16 remaining aspirants out of an original field of 80 men and 44 ladies with their respective scores after two rounds are men’s bet Merwin Tan (4881 in 24 games), Nicco Olaivar (4871), Kenneth Chua (4837), Kevin Cu (4770), Raoul Miranda (4741), RJ Bautista (4721), Eric Aranez (4702) and Anton Alcazaren (4676) and ladies Liza del Rosario (3960 in 20 games), Dyan Coronacion (3831), Lara Posadas (3821), Alexis Sy (3732), Abbie Gan (3665), Pure Anselmo (3655), Mades Arles (3608) and Rochelle Munsayac (3583).

With their scores carried over, the men and ladies will bowl a round-robin format and positioning on the eighth game, with the winner getting 30 points and both 15 each for a tie.  

All semifinal and final matches will be best of three games, with the top finisher facing No. 3 and the two others clashing in the semis.  The winners will dispute the title and the right to represent the Philippines in the BWC international tournament.

Filipino star Krizziah Tabora bagged the international ladies’ crown last year, but she was unable to compete this time because she’s on medical leave.

Four other Filipinos, led by Paeng Nepomuceno, emerged world champions.  Nepomuceno won four times while Lita dela Rosa, Bong Coo and CJ Suarez triumphed once each.

Multi-titled Liza del Rosario got the chance to play in the international finals six times, placing second in Pattaya in 2001, third in Singapore in 2004 and fourth twice – in Wroiclaw, Poland in 2014 and Las Vegas, Nevada in 2015.