BAHRAIN-based bowler Emerson Gotencio stayed in contention for a berth in the second round yesterday following the penultimate day of qualifying in the Men’s Open Masters of the PBF third Philippine International Open 2019, being played in Manila.
Many leading bowlers from all over the world are competing in the tournament.
Gotencio remained in sixth place in the Overseas Pool of participants after playing a 1,394 total for a 232.33 average from his best two series of 689 and 705.
Today is the final day of the qualification round. Bowlers ranked in the top six move directly to Round Two, while those ranked seventh through 12th make the cut for the Round One Finals.
Classified ahead of Gotencio were Filipinos Keneth Chua (1,483 total, 247.17 average), Kenzo Umali (1,433, 238.83), Merwin Tan (1,426, 237.67), Frederick Ong (1,412, 235.33) and Jonas Baltasar (1,403, 233.83).
Meanwhile, Bahraini bowler Abdulla Ali was ranked seventh in the Overseas Pool and is currently in position to make the cut for their Round One Finals.
Ali bowled a total of 1,403 from his two best series of 715 and 688 for a 233.83 average.
Muhd Jaris Goh of Singapre was the leading man with a 1,486 total and a 247.67 average, while Hardy Rachmadian of Indonesia followed in second place with a 1,482 total and 247.00 average.
Singapore bowlers Timothy Tham, Joel Tan, Brandon Ong and Basil Ng were ranked third through sixth, respectively, to complete the top six of the Overseas Pool heading into the qualifying last day.
Both Gotencio and Ali still have a chance to improve on their rankings today.
The top six from both pools move directly into Round Two.
Bowlers ranked seventh through 12th from each pool, together with defending champion Sam Cooley from Australia, another 20 bowlers from qualifying (combined pools), plus another three special qualifiers, will then play eight games in Round One.
The top 12 on total pinfalls advance to Round Two where they will join the players who advanced directly from qualifying. Starting from scratch, bowlers play another eight games. The top three advance to the step-ladder finals.
The tournament champion will pocket a total of 750,000 Philippine Pesos (approximately BD5,000). The runner-up will take home 350,000PHP (approximately BD2,500), while all other bowlers in the top 24 will win some prize money.
Meanwhile, Bahrain’s Layla Janahi was ranked 24th yesterday in the Ladies’ Graded Masters Qualifying. She had a 993 total and 165.50 average from her two best series of 502 and 491.
Layla needs to climb to the top 12 to advance to the next stage in her category.