RP Open bowling: Rivera flashes old form, grabs masters lead

MANILA, Philippines – Biboy Rivera flashed his old brilliance Wednesday to wrest the Class O men’s masters qualifying lead from Chester King in the 38th Philippine International Open Tenpin Bowling Championships at Paeng’s Midtown Bowl in Ermita, Manila. Rivera, the 2006 world masters champion, shot a three-game series of 728 on lines of 249, 244 and 235 to hike his total to 1388, bumping off erstwhile leader King (1380) from the top. Another veteran internationalist, Paulo Valdez slipped to third with his 1352. In the distaff side, Las Vegas World Women’s Championship-bound Liza del Rosario showed the way with 1304 pins, pacing Apple Posadas (1243) and Kim Lao (1184). Elsewhere in the tournament, AMBA’s Ramil tallied 1279 to lead BALP-UPHS’ Ricky Punzalan (1208) and MBA’s William Monodero (1194) in Men’s Graded Masters qualifying while youth bowler Ann Marie Kiac of PBAP-Bowlmart (1108), PBA’s Steve Lombos (1082) and TBAM-Prima’s Girlie Solis Cisneros (1022) took the provisional lead among the ladies. Also taking the top spots were MTBA’s Art Roxas (1199) and BALP’s Nida Lagrisola (1076) in Associate Masters qualifying; LCTA’s Jovel Atienza (1085) and MBA’s Merlen Pamintuan (1025) in Rookie Masters; TBAM’s Jhunky Tabora (1279) and SLETBA’s Susan San Diego (1146) in Senior Masters; and TBAM’s Kenneth Chua (1345) and Dyan Coronacion (1185) in Youth Masters qualifying. – GMANews.TV