Impressive Cooley seizes top spot

Sam Cooley, a triple Asian Bowling Federation Tour champion, is the man to beat in the men’s Open finals of the PBF Pagcor Philippine International Open.

The Australian, who captured an ABF Tour leg in Thailand twice and once in Hong Kong, accumulated a six-game tally of 1530 pinfalls in the qualifying round to secure the lead in the overseas pool.

Multiple ABF Tour winner Hussain Alsuawaidi of the United Arab Emirates placed second with 1494 while Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong, the reigning trios world champion, wound up third (1477) as they face the top six Filipino qualifiers for the crown on Monday at Coronado Lanes at Starmall in Mandaluyong City.

Joining them are 2006 Asian Games doubles gold medalist Hassan Alshaikh of Saudi Arabia (1468) and Singapore’s Cheah Ray Han (1463) and Jonovan Neo (1458).

“The real battle will be in the finals. Anybody can top the qualifying rounds but the best bowlers will show up when the title is at stake,” said international Hall of Famer and national head coach Paeng Nepomuceno.

Defending champion Kenneth Chua topped the local field with 1522 with fellow national teammates Jomar Jumapao, 17-year-old Kenzo Umali, JP Macatula, 18-year-old Merwin Tan and the comebacking Paulo Valdez joining him in the finals.

Mike Chan of Hong Kong, India’s Shabbir Dhankot and Dhruv Sarda, Filipinos Kayle Abad and Praise Gahol also advanced to the finals where the champion goes home with $10,000 (roughly P520,000).

World Cup champion Krizziah Tabora is the sentimental favorite to capture the women’s crown.