Paeng guns for 119th career title in World Tenpin Masters

MANILA, Philippines – He has won every possible award for bowling but Filipino legend Paeng Nepomuceno still thirsts for more glory. Owner of six world titles and countless other local and international tournaments, Nepomuceno will be gunning for his 119th career win as he competes in the 2009 PartyPoker.com World Tenpin Masters this weekend in Barnsley, England. The tournament, which features eight of the world’s best bowlers, will also serve as crowning glory for Paeng as he is set to receive his latest accolade, the World Bowling Writers Mort Luby Jr. Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to bowling, during the two-day meet at the Metrodome. A Bowling Hall of Fame inductee and the FIQ’s International Bowling Athlete of the Millennium, Nepomuceno will be seeking his second World Tenpin Masters after winning the coveted plum 10 years ago. On Saturday afternoon (Saturday night in Manila), the 52-year-old pintoppler will play against Weber Cup captain Osku Palermaa of Finland and Tom Barrett of England in Group 1 preliminary action. He plays defending champion Guy Kaminsky of South Africa on Sunday. The prestigious by-invitation tournament will feature a new format in which the eight players are divided into two groups of four, playing each of his groupmates in the preliminary phase. The top two players in the two groups will then advance to the semifinal stage before the two semis winners meet in the finals. Making up Group 2 and possible next-round opponents for Nepomuceno are 2007 champion Chris Barnes of the US, 2007 winner Jason Belmonte of Australia, Wu Sui Hong of Hong Kong and Matt Chamberlaine of England. Before leaving for England, Nepomuceno said he still feels he can compete at the highest level against the younger top guns of the sport. “I’ll just continue as long as I feel I am competitive. This time I’ll be playing against the world’s best bowlers. I hope to do well." –GMANews.TV