Rivera emerges new singles leader

RP team stalwart Biboy Rivera cut short Paolo Valdez’ stay at the top, emerging as the new singles event men’s class O leader of the 31st Boysen-PBC International Open at the Green Valley Center in Pasig.

Less than 24 hours after toppling previous leader Chester King, Valdez also found himself waylaid by TBAM-Prima teammate Rivera, who rolled 962 pinfalls to assume the top spot in the two-week long meet also serving as the third leg of the CGU Asian Bowling Tour 2002.

Valdez settled for second with 945 followed by King with 941.

Rivera earlier teamed up with fellow nationals RJ Bautista and Botchok Rey to grab the lead in the team event men’s class O of the meet bankrolled by Boysen, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Prudential Guarantee, Bowlmart, Prima Pasta, Regent Foods, ILO Construction, Kegel Asia and Manila Galleria Suites, the official hotel.

The RP team trio fired a series total of 1451, dislodging the PBAP-Bowlmart team of Diego Candano, Jeremy Posadas and Dondon Tan, which fell to second with 1302.

Behind them are the TBAM-Prima squad of Valdez, Rivera and Richie Poblete with a series score of 1297.

Leaders in the other events held sway.

Irene Benitez still paces the singles event women’s class O, with Liza del Rosario and Ces Yap in tow. Ditto in the all events women’s class 0 where Benitez also leads Yap and Liza Clutario, while national team coach Purvis Granger remains ahead of Arnold Lecaros and Benny Dytoc in the men’s class 0.

Meanwhile, none among the players have yet to score a perfect game as the P100,000 prize is still up for grabs.