Coo cops PBC Open senior masters’ plum

International Hall of Famer and PBC secretary general Bong Coo dished out her old deadly form to claim the Senior Masters’ crown in the 37th Philippine International Open tenpin bowling championships Monday at the SM Bowling Center-Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Carrying the colors of MBA-Prima-Timberpro, Coo shot 2150 in 10 games, including her eight handicap, to whip plus-16 handicappers Eve Lombos (2125) and Mila Robles (1876) for the title.

Lombos led from the start of the final round until Coo, using an Ebonite Complete NV ball, unleashed a ferocious run of 235, 246, 220, 235 and 202 in the last five games to cap a 207 scratch average and seal her second ladies’ senior plum, the first coming in the TBAM Open last March.

“I am grateful to the Lord for giving me the strength to win again at this stage of my life. This is very special because it’s my first senior crown in the Philippine International Open,” said Coo, whose nine Open Masters victories are the most by any bowler.

Francis Manalaysay of MTBA-Viking shared the spotlight with Coo by winning the men’s Senior Masters’ title in the tourney organized by PBC and sponsored by Ebonite International, Boysen Paints, Globe Telecoms, Department of Tourism, SM Bowling Center-MOA, Pagcor, Amway Phils., PCSO, Columbia, Track, Hammer, Air21, RCBC and Heritage Hotel Manila.

The top 16 bowlers in the Open Masters finals will qualify for the 2008 Asian Bowling Federation Tour-Philippine leg set on June 29 also at SM Center-MOA.

Earl Lim of PBC-RCBC and Merlen Pamintuan of MBA won the men’s and ladies’ Rookie Masters’ crowns, respectively.

Lim tallied 1951 in 10 games to beat PBA-PJB’s Paolo Darroca (1930) and MCTBA’s Oliver Mandilag (1897) while Pamintuan, a protege of Coo, rallied in the last game to post 1813 and whip erstwhile leader Meann Cabacungan (1798) of PTBA and Jing Cabangon (1716) of BALP.