MANILA, Philippines - The big guns in Philippine bowling, led by six-time world champion Paeng Nepomuceno and Liza del Rosario, have made it to the national finals of the 2011 World Cup elimination in 14 centers in Metro Manila and the provinces.
Nepomuceno, Del Rosario and 69 other male and female bowlers qualified after the recent first center finals.
Other top bowlers like former world titlist and Asian Games gold medalist Biboy Rivera and Bong Coo are expected to seek national final berths through the ongoing second qualifying period which ends in the first week of September.
Nepomuceno, the only men’s four-time winner of the World Cup, thrice in separate decades, rolled 2693 pins in 12 games at Coronado Lanes to earn a final slot together with Raoul Miranda (2820), Eric Aranez (2498) and Mar Serac (2487).
Del Rosario, considered as one of the best Asian lady bowlers, shot 1934 in 10 games to pace Liza Clutario (1872) and Sol Bagalay (1794) at Bowling Inn.
Other prominent qualifiers are Chester King, who fired 2393 at Paeng’s Midtown Bowl, Garry Custodio (2287), Benshir Layoso (2277), Paulo Valdez, who made 2789 at Astrobowl; Joonee Gatchalian and Jong Enriquez, who carded 2921 and 2472, respectively, at SM North EDSA, Lara Posadas, who scored 1956 at Paeng’s Midtown, together last year’s Phl representative to the international finals Apple Posadas, who submitted 1872 and Krizziah Tabora, who rolled 1720 at Commonwealth.
The national men’s and ladies’ champions will carry the Phl colors in the 47th BWC international finals set on Nov. 30 to Dec. 7 Northcliff Bowling Center in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The national finals will be staged on Sept. 17-18 at Coronado Lanes (Starlanes), Sept. 20-21 at Paeng’s Midtown and Sept 23 at SM Mall of Asia.
The other initial finalists:
Men - Kenneth Chua (2787), Louie Chuaquico (2492), Raul Imperial (2354), Boy Romand (2103), Edwin Reyes (1869), Alex Bea (2164), Edwin Mazo (2146), Jay Catolico (2109), Gerome Vergara (2402), Rene Rodelas (2359), Denis Jalandon (2342), Manny Laurel (2641), Kap Aguila (2532), Sidney Ngo (2522), Raf Manalo (2344), Nikko Go (1956), Wilson Sua (2202), Jorel Simbulan (2137), Jeremy Posadas (2322), Jerold Santos (2014), Ronald Cruz (1944), Larry Tinio (2233), Lito Rebong (2166), Ronnie Javier (2031), JC Cabacungan (2235), Sammy Say Sy (2372), Roel Fontanilla (2198), Jun Pilipina (2212), Ric Pacana (2248) and Ramon Camba (2047).
Ladies - Joselle Sabad (1437), Tess Eusebio (1748), Annie Rosales (1644), Linda Bagalay (1723), Alice Cabazor (1693), Leah Naorbe (1518), Faye Piol (1405), Rochelle Minsayac (1928), Ling-Ling de Guzman (1802), Wanda Teer (1794), Nina Monteverde (1742), Pinky Buenaflor (1933), Pure Anselmo (1857), Jingle dela Rosa (1815), Babylet Javier (1698), Lilian Teano (1528), Patricia Tajo (1727), Regina Oyco (1395), Aira Oyco (1312), Myrna Bautista (1572), Susan Viray (1550), Jojie Cabacungan (1746), Nida Lagrisola (1672), Kim Lao (1762) and Christy Camba (1642).