National players Merwin Tan and Lara Posadas-Wong emerged victorious in the men’s and women’s Open Masters of the Philippine National Open Bowling Championships held at the Playdium Bowling Center in Quezon City.
In the men’s open stepladder finals, the top-seeded Tan defeated fellow national team member Aldric Bathan with a score of 191-156.
Bathan had previously secured his spot in the final by defeating Abraham Saddoy.
Tan, the country’s leading male bowler, last competed internationally in March of last year, when he claimed the men’s masters title at the PBA Bowlers Academy Open in Clovis, California.
Accompanied by newly appointed American national bowling head coach Joe Slowinski, Tan, a double gold medalist at the 31st Vietnam Southeast Asian Games, outperformed a 19-time Professional Bowlers Academy Regional champion, according to bowling legend and PSC Commissioner Bong Coo.
Coo graced the opening ceremonies and attended the awards rites, where she encouraged participants to become active in bowling’s grassroots program.
In the women’s competition, second-seeded Posadas-Wong upset top-seeded Krizziah Tabora-Macatula in the finals, winning 213-183.
Third seed Grace Gella finished in third place.
Winners in other divisions include Art Barrientos in the youth boys’ category, Yow Rivera in the men’s graded division, Sammy Sy in the seniors’ open masters, Nelia Santos in the ladies’ seniors, and Bea Antiporda in the ladies’ associate category.