Filipino bowler takes Dubai Open lead

Dubai: Filipino bowler Paolo Joquico is leading the Graded A division at the DIBC Open Tournament 2013, which is taking place at the Dubai International Bowling Centre.

Joquico downed 1,980 pins in his nine-game series in the inaugural international tilt and posted an average score of 220 pins per game at the Dubai Bowling Club on Tuesday.

A member of the Sharjah Filipino Bowling Club and former member of the Philippine Youth Bowling Pool, Joquico overtook division leader Humaid Falah, who posted scores of 644, 656 and 667 for a total series of 1,967.

Other tournament leaders include Adel Lootah with 2,243 in the Open Division, Singapore’s Erwin Pek with a series of 1,778 in the Graded B Division, and Samantha Hannan of England with a 1,938 total score in the Youth Division.

This weekend will witness the world’s top bowlers compete for the prestigious titles as the final rounds commence and the tournament concludes on Saturday.

Prior to Tuesday’s qualifying round, Dubai-based Filipino Joquico shot a three-game series of 657, further raising his total qualifying score, but failed to surpass Falah and trailed by a mere four pins. Not to be outdone, Joquico rolled a respectable 628 and finally clinched the pole position with a comfortable lead.

The top 10 bowlers from the qualifying round will battle for the Graded A Masters title today (April 4). The six-game semi-final will cut the field down to the top four bowlers who will contest the title in a challenging stepladder final.