Paeng Nepomuceno of the Philippines and Ann-Maree Putney of Australia won the titles in the men's and women's division of the 2007 Columbia 300 South Pacific Classic Sunday Sep. 16 at AMF Moorabbin in Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

Nepomuceno (right) was able to weather a strong challenge from Australia's standout Jason Belmonte, with the two bowlers swapping the lead for the last five games in the match play portion of the event.

Belmonte (left) had the highest scratch total in the event with 6188, a 213.38 average, but Nepomuceno (6165, 212.59) won 9 of his 11 matches to earn 180 bonus pins, while Belmonte had a 7-5 won-loss record and 140 bonus. Nepomuceno beat the Australian two-hander by 17 pins, 6345 to 6328.

The victory, his 118th career title, makes him the only two-time non-Australian winner of the South Pacific Classic which is Australia's most prestigious tournament and serves as the QubicaAMF World Cup qualifier for the Australian participants. Nepomuceno's first victory in the SPC came in 1984.

Jason Walsh (left), the 2006 Champion, ended up in third place with 6143 while qualifying leader Bruno Maglieri finished in fourth place with 6090, both including 100 pins bonus..

Ann-Maree Putney (right), who won silver in Singles and bronze in All Events at the Women's World Championships in Mexico earlier this month, won the women's division with 5349 pinfall total and a 5-1-1 won-loss-tie record (110 pins bonus and an average of 209.56).

Defending champion Rebecca Simpson was 70 pins behind in second place with 5279 (80, 207.96) with Kate Wilton in third at 5236 (100, 205.44). and Cassie Staudinger fourth (5233 (40, 207.72)

Putney and Belmonte will represent Australia in the 43rd QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup at Continent Bowling Center in St. Petersburg, Russia (November 3-11, 2007).


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