Malaysian bowlers pace PH Int’l Open

Malaysian bowlers made their presence felt in the 42nd Philippine International Open on Wednesday by grabbing the lead in two events at Sta. Lucia Mall center in Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall in Cainta, Rizal.

Hee Kar Yen took over top spot in the ladies’ Class O all-events with 1511 pinfalls and then combined with fellow Malaysian Syaidatul Affifah to wrest the ladies’ Class O doubles lead with 902.

Actually, Affifah checked in behind Hee in the all-events with 1417, while the two put together separate series of 466 and 456, respectively, to vault past PBAP-Bowlmart’s Apple and Lara Posadas (850) in the doubles.

Malaysia’s men’s team of Rafiq Ismail, Syimir Abdul Razak and Jonathan Chan also went after the leading 1257 of the Philippines’ Biboy Rivera, Frederick Ong and Raoul Miranda but missed it by nine.

Youth bowler Heber Alquiza of Cebu-Prima paced Class B men’s singles with 689, and paired with GJ Buyco to also show the way in Class B doubles with 778.

Cebu-Prima’s Aui Padawan and Jomar Jomapao shot ahead in Class O men’s doubles with 924, finishing ahead of Malaysians Rafiq Ismail and Jonathan Chan (907) and relegating PH team’s Kenneth Chua and Raoul Miranda to third spot with 878.