INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines?Priming up for big international tournaments, the country?s top bowlers swung into action Saturday at the start of the 38th Philippine International tenpin bowling championships at the Paeng?s Midtown Bowl in Malate.

No less than 2006 world men?s champion Biboy Rivera bannered the big field of veteran and newcomers in the tournament where he is gunning for his second Masters title.

Also taking part in the two-week event are World Women?s Championship-bound Liza del Rosario, Liza Clutario, Apples Posadas, Kim Lao, Krizzia Tabore and Rachel de Leon. They are set to compete in Las Vegas in July.

Del Rosario, a three-time Masters champ here, will also join Chester King in the World Games Bowling in Chinese-Taipei also in July.

?We have high hopes in this tournament,? said Philippine Bowling Congress secretary general, Hall of Famer Bong Coo.

She was earlier inducted to the bowling body along with new PBC officers led by president Nitoy Tamayo and executive vice president Jaime Dychauco.

Bannering the elite RP team are Rivera, King, Paulo Valdez, Raoul Miranda, Frederick Ong, Jonas Baltazar, John Co, Jeff Carabeo, Jehr Cabangon, Louie Chuaquico and last year?s champ Benshir Layoso in the men?s competition.

POC president Jose ?Peping? Cojuangco was a special guest of the opening ceremonies. Harry Angping of the sponsoring Philippine Sports Commission skipped the opening because of a prior commitment but vowed to support the tournament.