THE SIDELINES : Ann Leads in Bowling World Cup

Patty Ann of the United States compiled an eight-game total of 1,822 pins in the semifinals today to lead five women into Saturday’s finals of the Bowling World Cup.

In the men’s competition, two-time champion Paeng Nepomuceno of the Philippines strengthened his bid for a third World Cup title by leading the men’s quarterfinals with a 16-game total of 3,874.

Ann, 35, of Bloomington, Ill., a former member of the U.S. pro tour, beat British champion Gina Wardle 253-187, then defeated West German Martina Beckel 235-212 in the semifinals to claim the top seed in the finals.

Nepomuceno, a left-hander from Manila who won the tournament in 1976 and 1980, defeated Puerto Rico’s Fico Perez 258-204, then defeated Belgium’s Gery Verbruggen 256-238 to lead eight men into Saturday’s semifinals. The men’s finals are Sunday.