INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines ? Unsinkable Paeng Nepomuceno blasted a couple of younger rivals Friday to win the Bowling World Cup national title and earn his 16th trip to the international finals in Melaka, Malaysia.

?I?m very happy. I?d do everything to put our country back on top of the bowling world,? said the 52-year-old Nepomuceno shortly after he whipped Benshir Layoso, 2-0 (217-201, 242-195) in the men?s finals at Paeng?s Eastwood Bowl in Libis, Quezon City.

Nepomuceno, the only four-time winner of the World Cup, improved his Guinness World Record career wins of 118 with his triumph over Layoso who topped the eliminations with a 32-game series of 6974.

Paeng, who checked in second at 6882, earned a shot at Layoso by crushing another RP kegler, Paulo Valdez, 2-0 (244-236, 213-181) in the semifinals of the event organized by Puyat Sports and backed by Amway-Nutrilite.

Liza del Rosario, also claimed a trip to Melaka by winning the ladies? crown at the expense of Krizziah Tabora, 2-0 (204-180, 201-165). Tabora bested Jaymee Bautista, 2-1 (193-165, 185-237, 183-178) in the semis.