DEFENDING champion Jasper Quimanhan of Sugarbowl Tenpin Association Inc. (STAI) took the lead in the Mixed Open division after Day 1 of the ongoing 20th Negros Tenpin Opening Bowling Tournament at Lopue's East Bowling Center in Bacolod City.
Quimanhan, who averaged a score of 226, has a total qualifying score of 1,356 in three sets of two games.
For winning last year's edition, he will remain seeded on top to play in the Masters Finals tomorrow.
Quimanhan was trailed by clubmates Sherwin Jardeleza (1,288), Paul Pacis (1,283), Henio Salvani (1,225), Jack Palermo (1,221), Gildo Ang (1,208), Helson Rosales (1,208), and OJ Lopue (1,205).
To qualify for the Masters, bowlers must enter the Top 36 in the Mixed Open qualifying round then must play 10 games to vie for the Top 8 prizes.
In other divisions, Palermo of STAI-Philippine Senior Bowlers ranked No.1 in the Seniors side with 1,221 pinfalls while Nicco Agujo of STAI spearheaded the Youth group with 1,183.
Top 36 in the Seniors qualifiers will bowl 8 games for the Masters to vie for the Top 8 prizes, while Top 9 in the Youth will play 5 games to vie for the top 5 prizes.
Special awards such as Top 3 qualifiers, highest single scratch game, and the perfect game will be recognized.
Expected to join the qualifiers, as of this writing, are members of the national teams, 2017 World Cup champion Krizzia Tabora, and four-time World titlist Bong Coo. (HGD)