Bowlers bid fizzles out in world meet

The United States and Finland dashed the Philippines’ medal hopes in the Men’s Trios of the 15th World Tenpin Bowling Championships with explosive rounds at the completion of play in the third squad late last night in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The American troika of Dino Castillo, Bill Hoffman and Tim Malk came through with combined 3982 to rule the six-game series. The Finnish trio of Petri Mannoven, Sami Konsteri and Lasse Lintila finished second with 3942.

Mexico, composed of Daniel Falconi, Benjamin Corona and Alejandro Cruz, earlier stood as the best team with 3931 until the US and Finnish bets blitzed the lanes to cop the top two places.

Earlier, the Filipinos were hoping to land in the medal race when the trio of Chester King, Paulo Valdez and Biboy Rivera tied in second position with the other USA team of Scott Pohl, Andrew Cain and David Haynes at the completion of play in the second squad.

Biboy Rivera rolled 229 and 225 in the fourth and fifth games to anchor the Philippines’ 3899 output. Other scorers for the Filipinos, who led the first squad after the first three games, were Chester King (1264) and Paulo Valdez (1247).