Kenneth Chua —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

National bowler Kenneth Chua triumphed in the Open Masters event at the 26th Sletba-Liza Zapanta Open Championships on Sunday, outlasting a stellar field of competitors at Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall Bowling Center.

Chua defeated fellow Team Pilipinas members Marc Custodio and Ivan Malig on his way to his second Sletba Open title, which came almost a decade after he won his first.

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Chua had a combined 491 over two games, outlasting Custoido, who compiled a 440.

“I guess I just got lucky,” Chua said after his win.

Fell behind

Chua fell behind early in the 10-game series as Malig surged late with a scorching 265 in the ninth game, followed by a perfect 300 in the 10th, nearly achieving consecutive perfect games.

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In the stepladder stage, Chua edged Malig, 216-204, to earn a title showdown against Custodio.

Custodio finished the tournament averaging 238, Malig had 224 and Chua ended with a 223.

Art Barrientos, another Team Pilipinas bowler, finished fourth, while Francis Jose of the Pasig Bowling Association rounded out the top five.

Sletba president Liza Zapanta expressed gratitude to the Philippine Bowling Federation and Philippine Sports Commission for their support, and applauded the record participation of 289 players from 28 associations.