A couple of prodigious bowlers outshone the veterans at Paeng’s Midtown center to head the final 16 survivors—eight men and eight ladies—that will shoot for the Bowling World Cup national championships today at SM North Edsa in Quezon City.
Enzo Hernandez, an 18-year-old Ateneo student and gold medalist in the Asian School Championships in Malaysia, shot six games of 274, 268, 246, 245, 244 and 234 en route to a 24-game total of 5215 pinfalls to pace the men’s field.
Lara Posadas posted 4071 to finish 36 pins ahead of veteran internationalist Liza Clutario in the ladies’ group.
Hernandez, also a member of the Philippine team, started big with a 246 and closed out even better with a 274 to move up from fourth spot.
Benshir Layoso, last year’s national representative to the international finals together with Mades Arles, checked in behind Hernandez with 5163 highlighted by a perfect game in the 21st game.
Pre-tournament favorite and former world titlist Biboy Rivera dropped to third (5114), followed by Jay-Ar Tan (4935), Sammy Say Sy (4818), Jeff Carabeo (4809), Nicco Olaivar (4785) and Eric Aranez (4771).
Rachelle Leon came in third in the ladies’ division with 3938, followed by Liza del Rosario (3918), Krizziah Tabora (3867), Arles (3733), Alexis Sy (3715) and Rochelle Munsayac (3673).
With their scores carried over, the 16 pintopplers figure in a round-robin format to determine the top three who will compete in the stepladder finals for the title.
The champions will compete in the international finals set Nov. 1 to 9 in Wroclaw, Poland.
The remaining contenders open their respective bids at 10:30 a.m.