By John M. Damaso

RIYADH —

The 54th EDSA Dart Championship, sponsored by Nesto, recorded new exciting highlights during the weekend as the third round is underway.

D’Sparks of Noel Borromeo continued to deny its opponents to maintain top post with a 15-0 win-loss card, 179 points. The last two of its victims were Bulleros (10-9) in the first game and Angels (14-5) in the second. Former champs Vipers, anchored by Elmer Parago, is trailing behind in the second spot with 13-2 record and 191 points.

The team scored a twin-kill at the expense of Padugo Boyz (13-6) and Bulleros (11-8) to grab its current position. Brand One of Jesler Dela Cruz scored once against D’Pirates (13-6) during a no-match game to gain third post with 9-5 card completing 149 points.

Bulleros of Robert Teodoro could have advanced in the team standings if not with two sorry losses during Friday’s showdown but at least maintained its position at fourth spot with a 5-9 card and 138 points. D’Pirates of Romy Gorembalem received a beating from Brand One in the first game but avenged it against Team Padugo in the second with a towering win, 17-2.

The team is in fifth place with 5-10 record and 134 points. Angels of Noel Doringo lost its only game from NDB to stay in sixth spot at 4-10 card and 117 points. Jay Patalinghug’s team is still in the last place and hoping to snatch a win in the last part of the elimination round, 0-15 with 64 points.

Meanwhile, Ariel Laxa and Yanzy Blanche, both from the Vipers team, topped the individual standings with a 12-3 win-loss record and 12 points. The two managed to win 12 matches out of the 15 games against more than 100 enlisted players midway the third elimination round.

Benedict Montanez and Jun Jison also are in third and fourth spots, respectively, with a record of 11-4. Bert Loyola, Dennis Santos, Allen Cruz and Cliff Caritativo have 10 wins taking the positions from fifth to eight, respectively. Greg Beringa is in the ninth place with 9-4 record and tenth is Bong Bardon, the lone Class B player who managed to enter the top ten players for this season.

The 53rd EDSA Classified Class B Singles winners also received their awards during last weekend. Reigning champ Bong Bardon from Bulleros received a 24” LED TV, plus trophy, while first runner-up Anthony Ferdz Benting got a tab and trophy. Second and third runner-ups Jerby Cammayo and Randy Valenzuela each received smart watches and trophies.

EDSA President Emmer Cortez thanked Nesto Managers Nilas and Vysakh for sponsoring and assisting in the awarding day. Tournament directors were Jun Jison, Bert “Issa” Reyes and Romy Gorembalem.