Arturo Hernandez and Alicia Marcano, both from Venezuela, set the pace in the American Zone Ranking Finals, currently underway at Punta Cana Lanes in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, after the first eight-game block on short oil.

Hernandez started his series with his low game of 178 but rebounded with a 275, the highest game of the day for both men and women. He finished with 200, 226, 219, 216, 224 and 210 for 1748 and an average of 218.50.

Canadian Mark Buffa was the only other player to reach the 1700-plateau with 1704 in second place. Francisco Colon, Puerto Rico was third with 1689. Places four and five belonged to Colombians David Romero and Manuel Otalora with 1651 and 1633, respectively.

Rounding out the top 8 were Alejandro Reyna, Costa Rica (1623), Raffy Sebelen, Dominican Republic (1622) and Ildemaro Ruiz, Venezuela (1616).

On the women's side, mere four players averaged over 200 on the short pattern. Alicia Marcano had five games between 2001 and 208 and the women's high game of 258 to lead the field with 1648 and an average of 206.00.

Trailing the Venezuelan by 11 pins to sit in second place was reigning World Ranking Masters queen Sara Vargas (pictured) from Colombia with 1637. Her compatriot Rocio Restrepo was third at 1625. Fourth place belonged to Caroline Lagrange with 1607.

Rounding out the top 8 were Laura Fonnegra, Colombia (1548), Viviana Delgado, Costa Rica (1533), Paola Gomez (Colombia) and Annie Henriquez, Dominican Republic (1717).

61 competitors (28 men and 29 women, who are among the top bowlers from the North, Caribbean, Central and South regions of the zone as well as two men and two women selected by the host country, Dominican Republic) will determine the 8 women and 8 men who will represent the American Zone in the World Ranking Masters in Doha, Qatar (April 30 - May 6).

All players will bowl three blocks of eight games on short, long and short/long oil in a 3-day competition. Play continues on February 3rd with 8 games on long oil.