By Pip R. Planas
JEDDAH — Micah’s Pride withstood several weeks of whirling challenges to be at sustainable edge over BCT-JBS Pro Shop, Cool Guys and Ekis-9 as FEDBG-FMBL-18 reaches homestretch at the Bowling City here.
Halfway of the league, Micah’s Pride, though keeping hold of top post till 10th week, was relegated to third with 431 points behind Ekis-9 (441.5 pts) and Kabalen Strikers (437 pts) but in front of defending Champion BCT-JBS (407 pts) on the red line of the standings. But after three sessions, albeit losing to Jeddah Bowlers, Micah’s Pride re-seized top notch at the expense of Pin Busters (18-4) and Superbowl Dozer (22-0). Seven matches of average, par and a superb outing made Micah’s Pride the dominant group with 765 computed points after 23 furious weeks of this double round competition.
With Oca Bernabe (662) and Melvin Lising 423) profusely gunning and wrecking, Micah’s Pride caught Dabarkadz unresponsive in all their blows especially that Paolo Allego, Jack Jarin, Nethneth Cerbito and team head Ester Santoc were so cohesive in their support to their twin of power. Led by Rudy Valenzuela at 232, Dabarkadz almost had snapped Micah’s momentum but Bernabe’s 261 pulled their team to 1,189-1,163 escape in Game 2. The match was signed at 22-0 (3,603-3,363) including 1,201-1,087 opener and 1,211-1,113 end game. Dabarkadz team chief Leo Edejer defended best with 613.
This week’s outstanding performers were BCT-Juraifani Pro Shop in team category, while Garry Ramundo and Cheryl Tibay did it in men’s and ladies divisions, respectively. BCT-JBS Pro Shop emerged as Team of the Week with 3792 in their 22-0 triumph over Pin Busters.
Except for Ryan Conde who convincingly shared 572, the rest of BCT-JBS squad all surpassed 600 marks with team captain Emil Payongayong being at front with 690 including scratches of 240 and 246. Jimmy Aragones’ 648 was boosted by 210 and 219, Erward Botardo’s 634 was ignited by a 226 and Romel Agbayani’s 622 was sparked by 205. Eloisa Fernadez’s 626 handicapped series is topped by 222. Lito Villanca with 646 shielded Pin Busters best with Richard Antonio, Cloyd Opena, Ruel Perez, Edison Arena and Grace Funtillon combining for 2,998 defensive supports.
Garry Raymundo defensively headed Cool Guys with 735 to win the men’s Bowler of the Week. The Yanbu-based honoree toppled games of 237, 290 and 228 for the reputation to become the new record holder for the hi-series with handicap. Ranking second in overall placing prior to match, Cool Guys slid to third when ARCI-5 defeated them in overall output at 3,727-3,709 for 12-10 separation. Dariel Loquias 676 led ARCI-5 success over Cool Guys as TC Jay Bengco, Elo Manalo and Aileen Miralbuna all exceeded 600 marks. Lady Bowler of the week Cheryl Tibay spearheaded Pin Down with 675 in blanking Kabalen in final tallies of 3,755-3,648. TIbay warmed up with 222 then flamed with 252 to cool off with 201 inspiring all teammates to back her up stunningly that suppressed the best defense of Mhon Laxama on the loser side.
Rankings: Micah’s Pride 765, BCT-JBS 730, Cool Guys 725, Ekis-9 691.5, Dabarkadz 676, Sagmit Dental Clinic 672, Kabalen Strikers 670, Pin Down 667, Pin Busters 662, FB Rhinos 533, Jeddah Bowlers 491, RL Titan 478.5, ARCI-5 469, Superbowl Dozer 142.
