Nationals see action in 18th Sletba Open; Baltasar hangs on to lead Jonas Baltasar of TBAM-Prima posted another high series of 724 Monday to keep his hold on the lead in the qualifying stage in the Masters field in the ongoing 18th Sletba Open at the Sta. Lucia Bowling Center in Cainta, Rizal. Baltasar now has a six-game series of 1550, followed by Angel Tolentino of Bowling Association of Las Piñas (BALP) with 1477, and Mark Ho of TBAM-Prima with 1435. Members of the Philippine Team, some of whom just arrived from the Asian Games in South Korea, saw action in Monday’s games and were playing qualifying games as of press time. They include Krizziah Tabora, Alexis Sy, Frederick Ong, Kenneth Chua and Enzo Hernandez, all of TBAM-Prima. The results as of press time in the other groups with the top three leaders: Group 2—Lito Santarinala with 1644, Eric Umali, 1627, and Pabs Peñalba, 1537. All are from Sletba. Group 3—Elson Campita and Marissa Campita, both of PBA, with 1624 and 1581, respectively; followed by Kenzo Umali of TBAM-Prima, 1566. Seniors—Santarinala (Sletba), 1644; Elson Campita and Marissa Campita (both of PBA) with 1624 and 1581, respectively. In the team event, the trio of Dr. Ronnie Mendoza (Sletba), Mar Serac and Kenzo Umali (TBAM-Prima) is on top with a total of 1504. The TBAM-Prima trio of Kenzo Umali, JR Cabaluna, and Louis Cantorna is second with 1493, while in third is the Sletba team of Mil Tan, Romy Taroy and Jonjon Uy with 1489. Nicco Olaivar, who scored a perfect game in the opening day of the tournament on Saturday, and Nilo Penado of PBA, still lead the doubles event with 1093, with the TBAM-Prima pair of Cantorna and Cabaluna in second with 1060, and the Sletba tandem of Eric Umali and Tony Gamo in third with 1025. Qualifying games are being held daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. until Thursday, and from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The tournament is sponsored by Sletbar, Boysen, MGL Construction, JL Industrial Fabrication Inc., F&J Construction, Marikina Rubber Inc., Boss Gas Inc., Amayra Travel & Tours, Sletbabes, Pansit Boys, Dau Long Philippines, University of Perpetual Help System, Manila Petroland, AsiaPhil, Trident Inc., Asphaltrade, Circle 8, and Sletba Juniors. The Philippine Daily Inquirer and Inquirer.net are the official media partners of this tournament.