Gamblan, Pamintuan bag RP Open rookie masters crowns

MANILA, Philippines - Youth bowlers Van Gamblan and Merlen Pamintuan emerged as the men’s and ladies’ Rookie Masters champions Monday night in the 38th Philippine International Open Tenpin Bowling Championships at Paeng’s Midtown Bowl. SLETBA’s Gambalan gained the award following his almost-perfect game in Game 7 – 289 - of his 10-game series in the finals as he finished with a winning 2,035. MBA's Pamintuan, for her part, tallied 1,726 after 10 games to capture the women's title. Also making their presence felt were bowlers from Singapore Sports School, who grabbed the upperhand in both the Class A men’s and ladies’ trios competitions. Alex Tan, Jovi Ang and Jaris Goh combined for 1, 211 pinfalls to take the lead in the men’s Class A trios from PTBA’s Sherwin Go, Sheldon Co and Charles Tee, who were 15 pins adrift and currently at second place with their 1,196. As of this posting, TBAM-Prima’s Enzo Hernandez, Bryan Gabay and Kevin Cu occupied third with 1,173. In the ladies' Class A trios, Singaporeans were at 1-2 with Lay Teng, Tracy See and Joan Tan leading the way (1,129) while the team of Joan Tan, Audrey Tan and Teng were in second place (1,094). In third spot were TBAM-Prima’s Girlie Solis, Erlyn Laforteza and Ellen Ramos, who were nine pins off the lead with 1,085. Changes also occurred in Class O singles events after Monday’s action with UAE’s Hussain Al Hussaidi grabbing third place after shooting lines of 244, 228 235 for a 707 card. He stood 27 pins behind ex-RP bowler and pacesetter Richie Poblete (734) and 21 off second-running 2006 men’s world masters kingpin Biboy Rivera (728). - Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV