Jumapao rolls rare series

World Cup finalist Jomar Jumapao pulled off a rare feat on Monday, rolling a record-setting 819 points in the ongoing PBF Pagcor Philippine International Open at the Coronado Lanes at Starmall in Mandaluyong City.

Tallying at least 270 points in three games, the Cebuano ace earned the top spot in the men’s open division qualifier a day before the best foreign bowlers from 10 other countries challenge the national team in the main draw.

“I have to be consistent when we begin playing the [foreigners],” said Jumapao, who notched the third 800 series of his career after achieving the same in 2004 and 2010.

According to international bowling Hall of Famer Paeng Nepomuceno, a mere stroke of luck can allow any bowler to score a perfect game of 300, but rolling over 800 indicates consistency.

Paulo Valdez rolled a 300 on Sunday.

Out to foil the Filipinos’ bid in the men’s and women’s open divisions are bowlers from Singapore, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong, whose players arrived yesterday.

Art Barrientos, a 14-year-old playing for TBAM Prima, topped the 15-and-under category after compiling an eight-game series of 1695 to subdue female youth players Norel Nuevo (1599) and Dale Lazo (1553) in the juniors division.

In the classified senior masters division, John Mendoza posted a 10-game series of 2056, defeating Romy Jaime (1998) and Boyet Delfino (1977).

World Cup titleholder Krizziah Tabora is the leading Filipino contender in the women’s open division and should hold off the foreign challenge with Liza Del Rosario, Mades Arles and Alexis Sy.

Besides Jumapao, the national team will also lean on men’s open defending champion Kenneth Chua and Merwin Tan as well as former champions Biboy Rivera and Valdez.