Phl Int’l Open keg unfolds tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines - Crack Filipino bowlers and some of Asia’s leading campaigners will show their wares in the 42nd Philippine International Open tenpin bowling championships starting tomorrow at the Sta. Lucia Center at the third floor of the Sta. Lucia Mall in Cainta, Rizal.

The tournament, which will run until Nov. 17, is sanctioned by the Asian Bowling Federation and organized by the Philippine Bowling Congress (PBC) in cooperation with Sta. Lucia Mall, Boysen Paints, the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission.

The event is also supported by the University of Perpetual Help System, Richmonde Hotel Ortigas and the National Bowling Tour.

PBC president Dr. Ronnie Mendoza will deliver the welcome remarks during the opening ceremony at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

Jonas Baltasar and Liza del Rosario will defend their men’s and ladies’ Open Masters titles. Baltasar and Russia-bound national World Cup champion Benshir Layoso are among the winningest bowlers in the ongoing national tour.

All local bowling associations and clubs under the PBC are expected to participate in the country’s premier kegfest.

A special event called the Toti Lopa Memorial Cup will highlight the team and individual Masters competition in memory of former PBC president Ernesto “Toti” Lopa, who passed away recently.

Lopa, best remembered for coaching Arianne Cerdena-Valdez to the gold medal in the demonstration sport of bowling at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, died last August while representing the Philippines in the WTBA World Championships and Congress in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Events on tap in the 15-day kegfest are singles, doubles, trios, men’s and ladies’ Open Masters, Graded Masters, Associate Masters, Rookie Masters, Senior Masters and Boys’ and Girls’ Youth Masters.

Interested bowlers may contact the PBC Secretariat at tel. Nos. 3105194 or 4003463 or email [email protected] for any inquiry.