Merwin Tan and Lara Posadas-Wong. Photo from Philippine Bowling Federation Facebook account.
MANILA, Philippines–Bowler Merwin Tan came close to bagging another international title before settling for the bronze medal in the men’s open masters of the 45th Hong Kong International Open.
The reigning Asian youth bowling champ lost his finals bid to Ahmad Muaz of Malaysia, 210-194, and finished third in the tournament won by Malaysian topseed Rafiq Ismail.
Lara Posadas-Wong followed Tan to the podium with a third-place performance in the women’s open masters.
Posadas-Wong, a Southeast Asian Games-bound bowler like Tan, faltered in her title aspirations against third-seed Nur Amirah Auni of Malaysia, 228-211, to earn the bronze medal.
After topping the Asian youth championships, the 20-year-old Tan is on a roll with victories in the men’s open masters of the Philippine International Open and the youth masters of the Singapore Open the past two months.