National team bared after Open bowl

MANILA, Philippines - The composition of the national bowling team to three international competitions this year will be determined after the coming 39th Philippine International Open Tenpin Bowling Championships on June 5-20 at the Paeng’s Midtown Bowl, Robinson’s Malate, Manila.

“The national pool will be participating in the last leg of the points system selection of the team for this year,” said Philippine Bowling Congress (PBC) secretary general Olivia “Bong” Coo during yesterday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Shakey’s United Nations.

Coo said that the national squad will be competing in the World Men’s Championships in Munich, Germany in August, the Asian Championships in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in October and the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China in November.

Aside from the national pool competing for slots in the RP team, bowlers from eigth countries will also be participating in Asia’s longest-running tournament to spice up the competition.

Among the countries that confirmed participation are Malaysia, Hong Kong, Qatar, Japan, Australia, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Singapore and China.

“The event is sanctioned by the Asian Bowling Federation (ABF) and the World Tenpin Bowling Association (WTBA) so the winners will gain points for their Asian and world rankings,” said Coo in the forum sponsored by Outlast Battery, Pagcor, Shakey’s and Accel.

Last year’s event drew 500 local and 50 foreign participants and Coo said they expect the number to increase this year as they compete in 12 masters events and the singles, doubles, team/trios and all-events divisions.

Raoul Miranda of the Philippines and Fatin Syazliana of Malaysia will defend their masters crown, respectively.