Frilingos hunting fourth Orange Open win as three-peat in reach

Having claimed the past two QubicaAMF-Audi Orange Open crowns, George Frilingos is looking to put his name in lights alongside Terry Wenbam and home-grown hero, world No.1 and arguably the greatest in the history of the sport in Jason Belmonte.

The Queensland-based Frilingros would be the third man behind those two to claim a three-peat in Orange, and would become a four-time winner of one of Australia's most prestigious tournaments.

"It would be quite the accolade to my resume," he said ahead of his attempt to hold his crown.

Belmonte won't be in the frame - if you'll pardon the bowling pun - having accepted an invitation to bowl in Japan this weekend after taking part in the Orange Tenpin Bowl's Good Friday doubles tournament last week.

However, Frilingos knows it'll be tough to claim a win across two days of competition, going up against skilled bowlers from across the state and the country, with ex-Australian representative and former teammate Glen Loader shaping as the reigning champion's biggest threat.

Loader finished 13^th in the Australian Open over the weekend, two places ahead of Frilingos and four ahead of Orange bowler Nick Flannery in Melbourne, but the reigning Orange champion took good things out of that tournament.

"I didn't finish in the top 10 but I bowled well and it was the ideal preparation," Frilingos said.

"My strike rate probably wasn't high enough but I was relaxed and in a good rhythm."

Since then, he's been trying to get in "as many games as I can".

"Bowling is based on repetition, really the only way to prepare is to be relaxed on your approach," he said.

The location in Orange was one of the best he'd encountered, bowling at the Belmonte's home more than anywhere else in NSW, with spectators, competitors and the atmosphere of the city all building to make it the perfect bowling venue.

"I always bowl well there, I'm not sure if it's being there so long or the friendly rivalry I had with Jason but I always bowl well in Orange," he said.

Qualifying games begin on Saturday with the top 32 to return for Sunday's finals, with the presentation expected around 1pm that day.