DALE Lazo captured her first international trophy, winning the youth girls masters category of the Philippine International Open Tenpin Bowling Championships 2019 at the Coronado Lanes in Mandaluyong City.
The 16-year-old national youth kegler rolled 180 pinfalls to win the gold medal over Bea Hernandez (177).
“There were no expectations kaya walang pressure. I just tried to enjoy the game,” said Lazo.
After trailing Hernandez in the qualifying rounds, Lazo beat Grace Gella in the stepladder finals, 212-171.
Fil-Australian Jordan Dinham won the youth boys masters, beating Asian youth champion Merwin Tan, 189-155, in the tournament backed by Pagcor, Café Puro, Boysen Paints, Prima Pasta, and Linden Suites.
Dinham beat Kishan Ramachandrai of India, 248-185, in the stepladder to arrange a finals match with the top-seed Tan in the tournament also supported by the MVP Sports Foundation and the Philippine Olympic Committee.
The 18-year-old Dinham placed third in the eight-game series qualifiers with a 1508 behind Tan (1689) and Ramachandrai (1652).
Lazo placed second in the qualifiers with 1508, while Hernandez and Gella had 1580 and 1482 respectively.
“Bowling is also a mental game. You have to maintain your focus throughout,” said Lazo, an incoming Grade 12 at La Salle Dasmarinas. “I still have a lot of things to improve on. My family and coach serve as my inspirations.”
The men’s and women’s open competitions will begin on Saturday with Cooley and Liza Del Rosario defending their titles.
The competition organized by the Philippine Bowling Federation is a test event for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
PBF secretary general and bowling legend Bong Coo said the Philippine team to the SEA Games will be composed of four men and four women. They will be evaluated in the ongoing meet as well as in the Singapore Open set June 16 to 30 and Hong Kong Open from July 15 to 20.
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