JEFF CARABEO and Kim Lao, fresh faces in Philippine bowling, scored major reversals yesterday to win the 2008 Bowling World Cup national title at SM Mall of Asia and earn the right to represent the Philippines in the international finals in Hermosillo, Mexico.

Carabeo, a 34-year-old businessman who “plays bowling for fun,” shocked reigning world champion Biboy Rivera in the finals, 2-0 (206-194, 248-192), after knocking out multititled Paulo Valdez, in the semifinals, 2-1 (202-229, 176-157, 206-203), to bag the men’s crown

Lao, an 18-year-old University of the Philippines-Diliman Linguistics freshman, outsteadied veteran internationalist Liza del Rosario in the finals, 2-1 (219-128, 188-214, 207-171), after blasting fellow RP bowler Krizziah Tabora, 2-0 (243-189, 214-182), in the semifinals.

“I can’t believe I won,” said left-handed Carabeo, a twice-a-week bowler and a father of three.  “I’ve been bowling for 10 years, but this is my first try at the World Cup.  I’ve never been that active, and the win is my biggest ever.”

“Just lucky, maybe,” said Lao after her victory.  “I previously won the Philippine Open Youth crown, but this [victory] is my biggest accomplishment so far.”

Carabeo tied with Valdez for second and third, while Lao finished third after the eight-game quarterfinals topped by Rivera and del Rosario.  But they fought off their nerves to surprise their favored rivals. 

Both agreed that they would have to work hard if they have to perform well in the international finals set from November 7 to 15 at the 32-lane Bol 300 Bowling Center in Hermosillo, Mexico.

Carabeo, who played in front of his wife and kids, said he’d try to find more time to practice, while Lao said he’d rely a lot on coaches Jojo Canare, herself a former national bowler, and Nico Valderrama.

Four-time World Cup champion Paeng Nepomuceno missed the semifinals by three pins, while Asian championship double gold medalist Chester King slipped to sixth.

Valdez and del Rosario represented the Philippines in last year’s international finals in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Touch returns

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Two-in-a-row for State University Pep Squad

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No Go, no problem, says Dayrit’s camp

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Carabeo, Lao shock vets to win World Cup qualifier

JEFF CARABEO and Kim Lao, fresh faces in Philippine bowling, scored major reversals yesterday to win the 2008 Bowling World Cup national title at SM Mall of Asia and earn the right to represent the Philippines in the international finals in Hermosillo, Mexico.

Bleachers’ Brew: The other side

Officiating is never easy and boy, is that an understatement. I tried it one time and sucked at it. Never again. Having said that, does that make me a more sympathetic person toward the zebras? In a way, but not necessarily so because the men who blow the whistles do it for a living and have done so for years. Is there room for error?