INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines—Unheralded bowlers Jackson Co and Nida Lagrisola stormed to the lead in the associate Masters qualifying Friday night of the 38th Philippine International Open tenpin bowling championships at Paeng’s Midtown Bowl in Malate.

Co of MTBA added a 639 to his previous 594 for a 1,233 total and the leadership in the men’s division while BALP’s Lagrisola rolled a 590 to go with her previous 542 for a 1,132 leading aggregate in women’s play.

Kenneth Piedad (1,218) and Art Roxas (1,199), both of MTBA, trailed Co while TBAM-Prima’s Lou Laforteza (1,103), and PTBA’s Jojie Cabacungan (1,092) took second and third behind Lagrisola.

There was little movement in the elite categories except for national pool member Dyan Coronacion, who moved up to third place in the ladies’ Masters class O.

She shot 625 and 635 for a 1,260 total, closing in on second placer, teammate Kim Lao (1,272) and 2007 champ Liza Del Rosario, who showed the way with 1,304.

Things are expected to heat up over the weekend when world class bowlers start arriving led by Tim Mack of the United States and Hussain Al Suwaidi of United Arab Emirates.