Tan settles for third in Hong Kong Open

Merwin Tan and Lara Posadas-Wong. Photo from Philippine Bowling Federation Facebook account.

Merwin Tan is nearing peak form with four months to go before the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

The reigning Asian youth bowling champ 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.

Ahmad Muaz of Malaysia stopped Tan, who topped the semifinal round, on his tracks, 210-194, but eventually lost the crown to fellow Malaysian Rafiq Ismail in the finale.

After capturing 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 in the last two months.

Lara Posadas-Wong followed Tan to the podium with a third-place performance in the women’s open masters.

Posadas-Wong, also SEA Games-bound like Tan, faltered in her title aspirations against third-seed Nur Amirah Auni of Malaysia, 228-211, to earn the bronze medal.

Auni eventually dropped her gold-medal aspirations to top seed and fellow Malaysian Iliya Syamim, 215-160, in the finals.

Meanwhile, Posadas-Wong and Enzo Hernandez are in the semifinals of the ongoing Asian Bowling Federation Tour.