PBC exec claims masters title

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Bowling Congress deputy secretary-general Boy de Leon of host association SLETBA carted away the Masters title of the Ernesto “Toti” Lopa Memorial Cup Sunday at the close of the 42nd Philippine International Open championships at the Sta. Lucia Mall Center in Cainta, Rizal.

The 61-year-old lawyer and recruitment firm executive outsteadied former national player Gino Mansilungan of TBAM/Prima, 216-208, in the final match to pocket the P30,000 top prize in the event held in memory of the late PBC president.

Lopa died last August while representing the country in the FIQ/WTBA World Championships and Congress in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mansilungan took the P20,000 runner-up prize.

Fifteen-year-old Janus de Guzman of MTBA finished third and earned P10,000 by beating PBC president Dr. Ronnie Mendoza, 263-154.

De Guzman, a De La Salle Zobel-Alabang sophomore and one of the youngest bowlers in the 40-man field, scored 2252 pinfalls in 10 games to enter the 8-man matchplay stage as top seed.

De Guzman first knocked out Francis de Leon of MTBA/Chinaph, 266-239, before losing to Mansilungan, 210-244.

De Leon, who advanced to the matchplay in sixth position, downed Daboy Mendoza, 210-206, and Dr. Mendoza, 230-190, to barge into the final match.

On the other hand, Mansilungan whipped Nelia Santos, 236-201, to advance against De Leon.

Six-time world champion Paeng Nepomuceno barely missed the 8-man final cut, finishing ninth at 2129 – four pins behind De Leon.

Malaysian teenager Rafiq Ismail and the Philippines Liza del Rosario captured the men’s and ladies’ Masters titles in the tourney sanctioned by the World Tenpin Bowling Association and the Asian Bowling Federation.