Tabora, Tan stay alive in BWC

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino pintopplers Krizziah Tabora and Merwin Tan rallied Wednesday to keep their qualifying hopes alive in the 2019 Bowling World Cup international finals in Palembang, Indonesia.

Tabora, winner of the world crown two years ago in Hermosillo, Mexico, shot a six-game series of 1187 to rank 12th in the women’s division with 3519 pinfalls in 18 games.

Tan, 20-year-old marketing freshman in St. Benilde Antipolo, jumped to 24th spot from 29th in the men’s competition by carding 1208 for a 18-game total of 3577 pinfalls.

Men and women bowlers from more than 100 countries will play another six games Thursday to determine the 24 campaigners from each division who will advance to the second stage of the prestigious event where legendary Paeng Nepomuceno holds the distinction of being the only four-time men’s titlist so far.

Tabora rolled games of 179, 255, 191, 198, 193 and 171 to improve from 17th to 12th place, while Tan posted 202, 204, 198, 178, 203 and 223 to hold on to the last qualifying position.

Natasha Roslan of Malaysia regained the women’s lead with 3768 – 43 ahead of American Kelly Kullick. Russia’s Maria Koshel was third with 3710, followed by Dominican Republic’s Aumi Guerra (3667), South Korea’s Eunhee Jeon (3614), Germany’s Nadine Geissler (3582), Brazil’s Stephanie Martins (3575), Australia’s Rebecca Whiting (3571), Indonesia’s Shinta Ceysaria Yunita (3567), and Venezuela’s Karen Marcano (3560).