RP celebrates another bowling double

THE Philippines celebrated yet another double victory when Benshir Layoso and Apple Posadas triumphed in the ABF Tour Philippines leg at the SM Bowling Center on Sunday afternoon.

Layoso, who captured the 37th Philippines International Open a day earlier, defeated Chester King in an all-Filipino final to win the men’s title, while Posadas beat Lovella Catalan in another all-RP final to capture her second women’s tour crown.

Philippine national squad and MTBA-Henrich member Layoso also became the fifth bowler in the AAABF Tour history to bag the proceeding international open men’s title and the same leg back-to-back. Layoso had earlier sailed through the semifinal match against Korea’s Cha Ji Hyun, 277-238, to reach the finals.

The 38-year-old was equally impressive in Round 2 when he shot 278 to knock out fellow compatriot Paulo Valdez, who posted 206. Layoso also defeated another Korean, Son Young Seok, 238-185, in Round 1.

But he had to work harder in the final title match against challenger King when the latter struck out to end with 234, forcing Layoso to strike home, too, to seal the victory, which he duly obliged to the delight of his supporters with 239.

 “Winning my first international title yesterday was already a fantastic achievement for me and to also win my first tour title is amazing, indeed,” said Layoso, who in the earlier two rounds dispatched Clark Tiu, 235-200, in Round 2 and last year’s champion, Oh Young Ki of Korea, 244-237, in Round 1.

Meanwhile, Posadas outclassed Catalan, 258-199, in the women’s final. Posadas, who won the 2005 Philippines leg, eliminated newly crowned Philippines open champion Krizziah Tabora, 205-178, in the first semifinals match to reach the final.

 “When I knocked down five strikes in a row, I thought I had sealed the victory,” said the 22-year-old Posadas. “But when Lovella shot a turkey, I was a bit worried. I was only relieved when I managed to follow it up with another three strikes.

The champion also defeated her younger sister, Lara, 200-159, in Round 2 and Dyan Coronacion, 226-205, in the first round. Catalan had earlier defeated Alexis Sy, 191-161 in the second semifinal match.

The runner-up edged Marjo Reyes, 179-173, in Round 2 after beating Hong Kong’s Agnes Chang, 191-158, in the first round.

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RP celebrates another bowling double

THE Philippines celebrated yet another double victory when Benshir Layoso and Apple Posadas triumphed in the ABF Tour Philippines leg at the SM Bowling Center on Sunday afternoon.

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