Clutario strikes again, cops bronze

After helping power the Philippines to a record-setting gold medal romp in the women’s trios event Wednesday, Liza Clutario bagged a bronze medal in the women’s all-events Thursday to underscore the Filipinas’ impressive campaign in the 15th World Tenpin Bowling Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Clutario, whose teamup with Cecilia Yap and Liza del Rosario in the trios produced a feat when they fought back from 17th place to bag the gold behind a couple of record-shattering performances, totaled 5083 for a 212.79 average to capture her second medal in the event which gathers the best and the brightest bowlers in the world.

Clutario, a silver and bronze medallist in last year’s Busan Asian Games, scored 1276 in the singles, 1322 in doubles, 1223 in trios and 1262 in the team event.

Zara Glover of England won the gold with 5286 while Diandra Hyman of the US placed second with 5219.

Clutario compiled 4452 to tie England’s Kirsten Penny for third place with 212 average.

The three mainstays of the RP team all made the final cut of 16 bowlers who will proceed to the masters finals. Del Rosario finished in 12th place with 4927 (205 average), while Yap placed 14th with 4874 (204 average). The Philippines has the most number of entries in the final round of 16.

Towards the homestretch of the tournament, the men’s and women’s masters finals start today with the finalists bowling 16 games round robin. The top three scores will proceed to the grand finals which will be held Saturday.

Meanwhile, three high games of 258 were bowled in each of the first round games of the women’s teams event. In the first game of Squad A, Malaysia’s champion Shalin Zulkifli thrilled the crowd of local supporters with the return to form they had been hoping for.

Zulkifli, as anchor, fired 203 and 246 games to post a 235.67 average, with the Malaysian team finishing within striking distance of combined squad leaders Sweden, Finland and Venezuela.

"It’s not over," said Zulkifli in characteristic determined style. "I’m executing my shots better and bowling what I’m supposed to be…I want to make amends for the week," she added.

The second 258 game was shot in Game 2 by record-breaker Hyman, but a disappointing 149 in the third game balanced her average to a precise 200. Similar fluctuations by her teammates saw the US women drop to sixth place overall after the first three games.

The magic 258 score in the third game was a pleasing turn around for Margalit Mizrachi of Venezuela. The 34 year-old doctor from Caracas struggled with 173 and 171 games previously, but Mizrachi’s high game and the 1089 total posted by the Venezuelan team in Game 3 lifted its placing to third overall.

The Sweden team of Eva Jonsson, Helen Johnsson, Christel Carlsson, Linda Haglund and Malin Glendert hold a slender lead after the first round of Women’s Teams with a 25 pin lead on Finland, and a 50 pin margin over Venezuela.