National Open bowling rolls off Saturday

The 43rd Philippine National Open Tenpin Bowling Championships kicks off tomorrow at Sta. Lucia East Bowling Center with the country’s finest pin-topplers seeing action.

Philippine Bowling Congress officers led by president Ronnie Mendoza and chair of the board Nitoy Tamayo will preside over the opening ceremonies beginning at 12 noon.

Guest of honors are Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, Jr., Cainta Mayor Johnielle Keith Nieto and officials of the Philippine Sports Commission.

Standouts from affiliated local bowling associations compete against members of the national training pool in the four-division competition.

Mendoza said top performers in the National Open will have the inside track to slots in the national team bound for the Singapore Southeast Asian Games in June next year.

A five-man team competition, the Toti Lopa Memorial Cup, kicks off the hostilities. The event is held in honor of Ernesto Lopa, the former PBC president who died last year in Nevada while representing the Philippines in the World Tenpin Bowling Championship.

The National Open is supported by the PSC, POC, Boysen Paints, Sta. Lucia Mall, University of Perpetual Help and National Bowling Tour.