Bowler Krizziah Lyn Tabora toppled two of the world’s hottest players Saturday to win the country’s eighth World Cup title Saturday in Hermosillo, Mexico.
The 26-year-old right-hander routed reigning Professional Women’s Bowling Association champion Siti Rahman of Malaysia, 236-191, in the final. She used five consecutive strikes from the fifth frame to pull away for good.
Earlier, Tabora outscored three-time PWBA titlist Rocio Restrepo Colombia, 249-222, in the second women’s semifinal to earn the right to face Rahman who downed top seed and defending champion Jenny Wegner of Sweden, 227-197.
“I feel incredibly overwhelmed and very, very happy because it’s my first title, and it was my first time bowling on TV,” Tabora said. “I was very nervous and took it frame by frame. I was just focused on good shots and walking slow. To win is very special, and it means a lot because it helps get bowling recognized in the Philippines.”
It marked the first time the Philippines won the women’s crown since winning back-to-back in 1978 and 1979.
Paeng Nepomuceno, the current national coach, is the event’s winningest competitor with four titles (1976, 1980, 1992, 1996) while Christian Jan Suarez was the country’s most recent winner, lifting the cup in 2003.
The other Filipino World Cup champions are Bong Coo and Lita dela Rosa.
Tabora ranked third in the semifinals after scoring 8799 pinfalls in 40 games.
“Actually, I was very nervous because I know they’re all world champions and have been doing very well,” Tabora said. “I just wanted to do my best and make good shots. I don’t know what to say about the win, really. I don’t think it has sunk in yet.”
American left-hander Jakob Butturff won the men’s crown after defeating Colombia’s Oscar Rodriguez, 246-201, in the final. He earlier whipped Malaysia’s Ahmad Muaz, 266-176.
Jomar Roland Jumapao, the country’s male entry, finished 33rd.
Sixty-four men and 54 women from 68 countries made up the starting field. They rolled 24 games spread over four days with the top 24 men and top 24 women advancing for eight more games.
The top eight performers after 32 games advanced to match play. Their 40-game totals, including bonus pins, determined the semifinalists.
