Malaysia made its presence felt in the women’s open overseas division while Singapore continued to pace the men’s open overseas category in the qualifying rounds last Wednesday of the Philippine International Open Tenpin Bowling Championships.
After three days of qualifying action at the Coronado Lanes inside the Starmall in Mandaluyong, Malaysian Nerosha Keligit scored 624 and 695, respectively, for a combined tally of 1319 pinfalls to move into second place.
A silver medalist in the 2022 Vietnam Southeast Asian Games, Keligit was just one pin behind pacesetting Singaporean Jezreel Tan (1320) in the tournament organized by the Philippine Bowling Federation and sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission.
The Malaysian eased out ertswhile Singaporean No. 2 Charmaine Chang (1317), who fell to third place in the kegfest likewise backed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Cuisiniers, Robinson’s Land, Cuisiners, Starbalm and The Bowler.
Considered among the regional powers in the sport, three others Malaysians were among the top six in the women’s open foreign division that will advance to the finals on Saturday.
Ester Chia Meilan (1288), Natasha Roslan (1264) and and Siti Safiya (1256) were fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively, in the meet also backed by the Pasig Bowling Association.
Singapore’s Darren Ong, a double bronze medalist in the Vietnam SEA GAmes, wrested top spot in the men’s open overseas division qualifiers with a remarkable six-game series of 1483 after sizzling with a 718 and 765, respectively.
He was 14 pins in front of compatriot Timothy Tam, who was equally hot and running second with a 1469 (712-757) while their teammate Ryan Toh was in third place with a tally of 1423 (681-742).
Among those who remained in the top 12 that will advance to the finals on Saturday were five Malaysians: Rafiq Ismail at No. 6 (1353), No. 8 Syafiq Ridwhan (1340), No. 9 Tun Hakim (1340), No. 10 Muhammad Syazirol (1339) and No. 12 Timmy Tan ( 1319).
Husain Al Suwaidi of the United Arab Emirates (1341) was in seventh place.
Malaysia makes presence felt in PIO bowling meet
