Team Phl off target in opener of Asian Tenpin Bowling tiff

MANILA, Philippines - Team Philippines got off to a shaky start in the 23rd Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships as its bets landed way off the medal podium in the opening men’s singles event Saturday at Blu O Rhythm and Bowl Ratchayothin in Bangkok, Thailand.

Benshir Layoso, a veteran of the 2013 Bowling World Cup, delivered the worthiest performance among the Pinoy pintopplers with his six-game series of 1311 in Squad C, which put him at 24th overall in the 125-man field.

The 45-year-old Layoso capped his series with his best score of 254 and averaged 218.50 in the third and final squad, which was topped by eventual gold medalist Yusuke Yamamoto of Japan (1401).

Shabbir Dhankot of India, who logged 1396 in Squad B, took the silver while Asian Schools singles champion Mostafa Al Mousawi of Kuwait, who posted 1395 also in the second squad, settled for the bronze.

Finishing two places behind Layoso at 26th was Kevin Oliver Cu, who tallied 1305 built around a 217.50 average and a best game of 267 in Squad B.

Enrico Hernandez (1235) finished 61st while Giancarlo Mansilungan (1179) and Jeffrey Carabeo (1177) placed 76th and 77th, respectively. Jeremy Posadas, who struggled with 1100 pinfalls in Squad B, wound up 101st.

In the distaff side, Anna Marie Kiac rolled 1170 for 20th spot after Squad A action yesterday morning, 275 pins off leader Mirai Ishimoto of Japan (1445).

The other Filipina bet in the first group, Sheena Go, scored 1024 and stood at No. 30.

Veteran Liza Clutario, Krizziah Tabora, Lara Posadas, and Mades Arles, were slated to play last night in the second and last squad, seeking to outscore the Top 3 of Squad A to capture a medal. Aside from Ishimoto’s 1445, the Pinays look to surpass the outputs of second-running Jeon Eun Hee of Korea (1379) and third-running Joey Yeo of Singapore (1362).