Pongky Strikers, X-Pin D’Bowls, ‘X’ Strikers and Swooping Eagles qualify

COZMO Kaifan Team

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 27: As forecasted, after the final day of the elimination round of the Philippine Bowling Association in Kuwait–2018 Invitational Cup held at Cozmo Entertainment and Bowling Center in Kaifan, there were no changes in the ranking and COZMO Lane Specialists uphold the No. 1 position from opening until the last day of the elimination while I’m Filipino (TGIF) Team held tight grip of the second spot.They were followed by Pongky Strikers, X-Pin D’Bowls, “X” Strikers and Swooping Eagles comprising the Top 6 teams vying to the championship round. Teams that posted their last victory were TGIF, NUSANTARA, COZMO and X-Pin D’Bowls while “X” Strikers played bye. COZMO remained the top rank when they demolished the Pongky Strikers 3,070-2,856. All the 5-man team scored for Lane Masters in the comfortable victory which gave them a 7-2 win-lose record throughout the elimination round. After the game Noe Mahayag said “we wanted to make sure that we control the tempo and we know that the team of Jess Tolentino fight hard, play hard regardless of the score and of course to maintain the highest rank”.In return, Jess said “they wanted to make sure that they match the energy from the start, the way to the end even if it is a mismatch. We wanted to make sure we did not let down, and we want to make sure we execute defensively against the giants”. COZMO’s kingpin Ronnel Valencia exploded with a career-high 170, 236, 228 (634) while Noe Mahayag tallied his 539 points followed by Lito Michael (482).Ruben Cervantes (481) and Ely Ebrada (438). Pongky Strikers win lose record was 5-4 and its top scorer was Gener Calingasan (532) supported by Jess Tolentino (483), Imelda Calingasan (474), Adolfo Prena (276), BOWLING Jhun Narvaza (269) and Jocelyn Barros (254). The TGIF team improved to 6-3 for a stronger grip of No. 2, and team captain Evangelista was overwhelmed after striking down the Swooping Eagles in their 3-game series 925-882, 1,007-963, 1,023-906 (2,980-2,751).According to Mar this is a good win for their team in preparation for the championship round. “We need to be consistent and must bring the confidence from this win to our next games and sustain our hold of the second spot the least”.TGIF high scorers were Camilo Baker (512) and Joel Tizon (496) followed by Mar Evangelista (353) Rene Marzan (301), Pilar Patula (294), Sam Bhebehani (280 who played two games each and Eddie Pena (166) who played one game. Swooping Eagles who finished with 5-4 record, the top scorer was Jessica Balagat (498) who scored 225 points in the second game, snatched the individual high game for ladies. She was followed by Darrel Sullivan (436), Riz Roque (430), Danny Solis (322), Alonzo Bush (267), Mona Corpuz (123) and Clinton Cathers (121).Despite the lose the Swooping Eagles managed to hold the last seat with 901 points advantage over NUSANTARA who followed them stealthily from Game 6. Basil Al Anzi and Sonia Mathews combined forces for a blazing 3-game series 973-935, 1,041-953, 1,031-968 resulting in the X-Pin D’Bowls massive 2,921-2,693 lead against SKARZ who had 3-6 record. With the win X-Pin registered 6-3 record through Basil (548) and Sonia (515) who powered X-Pin D’Bowls assisted by Mohammad Abdullah (491), Alma Turley (427) and Mohammad Karam (354) and Moises Amahan (146) to the victory. In the side of SKARZ top pointer was the ‘most improved bowler’ Stephen Sequiera (502) followed by Melwin Isaac (334), Fatima Fernandes (319), Ignatius Fernandes (283), Eden Danan (252), Lionel Mendes (137) and Kathy Fernandes (129). NUSANTARA recorded its third win a row at the expense of Pin Pals 2829-2349 but became useless as it did affect the ranking of the top six teams and remain tail ender. NUSANTARA top scorer was Mohammad Othman (492), Erlisa Gantosori (436), Ahmad Fahmi (432), Gantosori Tanjong (402), Nuki M. (243) Benyamin Hasan (127) while Pin Pals was led by Allan Fernandes (437), Diego Camilo (386), Raj Reddy (347), Agnello Fernandes (308) and Neeta Fernandes (263).Finally, without fear to be ejected from the elite group the “X” Strikers fielded their second and third rate bowlers and scored objectively. Rocky Castil led the group with his 494 points assisted by Bima Nitikusumo (458), Abel Bitikusumo (448), Imelda Daguio (439) and Reygan Percy (366). Meanwhile, the final results of Special Events for Individual and Team Best on weekly standing were: For Individual High Game – Men Class A – X-Pin D’Bowls’ Basil Al Anzi (252); Men Class B – Pongky Strikers’ Jess Tolentino (243); Men Class C – SKARZ’s Stephen Sequiera (212); Ladies A – Swooping Eagles’ Jessica Balagat snatched from X-Pin D’Bowls’ Sonia Mathews (225-210); Ladies B – Abel Nitikusumo (198), Individual High Average – MA – COZMO’s Ronnel Valencia better his old record (199.3-195.2); MB – Jess Tolentino of Pongky Strikers (165.9); MC – Stephen Sequiera bested his old record (155.7-152.8); LA – Swooping Eagles’ Sonia Mathews (172.1); LB – Pongky Strikers’ Imelda Calingasan bested her record (149.2-148.05). Bowler of the Week was Fatima Fernandes; Winner of the KD5 Voucher was Reygan Percy. For Teams’ Best – Team No. 1 for 7 Weeks – COZMO was the winner and extended until final week; Team Weekly Series – there was no weekly series on last qualifying week.Final Elimination Round Standings: 1. COZMO Lane Masters (25,924); 2. TGIF (25,665); 3. Pongky Strikers (25,361); 4. X-Pin D’Bowls (25,179); 5. “X” Strikers (25,153); 6. Swooping Eagles (24,943); 7. NUSANTARA (24,042); 8. SKARZ (23,127) and 9. Pin Pals (23,003).By Rocky DG Delos Reyes