AL KHOBAR, 18 January — The month-long pre-qualifying tourney of the Filipino Tenpin Bowlers, Eastern Region (Filbowler) kicked off to a sizzling start at the Algosaibi Bowling Center here.

The tournament is preparatory for the forthcoming All-Filipino Haj Goodwill Games to be held from Feb. 22 to 24. The pre-qualifying tournament is open to all bona fide Filbowler members and K500/Filipina bowlers.

Searing the lanes at the opening week of the games is ace bowler Elmer Bonifacio who tallied a total 4-game series of 894 in the first set; 746 pinfalls in the 2nd set; and 805 in the 4th set for a total series of 2,445 pinfalls or a high average of 204 over 12 games.

Veteran but boyish-looking Bonifacio holds the distinction of a bowler with a 300 perfect game record at the Algosaibi bowling lanes and is considered as one of the more reliable and top-ranked bowlers of Filbowler. In the 2nd spot is the ever-amiable and jolly GCC bowler, Dr. Jun Arcano of Saudi Aramco, who scored 768, 819, and 761 for a total of 2,348 pinfalls or an average of 196.

Dr. Arcano holds the distinction of being Filbowler’s Master’s Champion in the first year anniversary tournament of the Club held in June 2001. He was also 1st runner up in the Master’s event competition during the 2001 Filipina/K500 Invitational Games. A hairline difference separates the scores of Dr. Arcano and Jess "DRJ" Villanueva.

Jess landed in the 3rd place with a total series of 790, 756, and 801 or accumulated pinfalls of 2347 giving him an identical average of 196 with Dr. Arcano. DRJ is the recently-crowned Champion of the All Stars Open Tournament held at the Algosaibi Bowling Center during the Eid holidays.

Other bowlers who made to the magic 10 are Ely Soberano, 2001 Haj Goodwill Games Masters champion who tallied a total series of 2320; Junnel Asuncion, 2320; Fermin Torres, 2313; Jimmy Lezarda, 2307; Joey dela Cruz, 2274; Ronald Pineda, 2247 and Ric Mina, 2211.

The month-long pre-qualifying tournament will culminate in the final round to be held on Feb. 1. The lucky finalists will be the Club’s official entry to the 2002 Haj Goodwill Games.

The response by the invited Clubs to the 2002 Haj Goodwill Games is positive and heart-warming. Asir Tenpin Bowling League (ATBL) is sending in two (2) teams. Vher Crisostomo, ATBL’s Prexy is ecstatic and they all look forward to meeting their kababayans at the Algosaibi bowling lanes. FTBJ/BBG are sending in four (4) teams.

Arnold Alday, ex-chairman of FOBR and pesident of the Brotherhood Bowling Group of Jeddah, lauded Filbowler for organizing the 2002 Haj Goodwill Games. Prior to going for a holiday break, Rally Zamora, President of FTBJ, also expressed the same enthusiasm and look forward to the holding of the 2002 Haj Goodwill Games in the Eastern Region.

The Overseas Filipino Workers Bowlers of Riyadh (OFWBR) headed by well-known Noli Ritual will be fielding in 5 teams headed by the first Filipino bowler to score a 300 perfect score in Riyadh, dubbed as the legend bowler, Jimmy Medina. Also heading the list of the OFWBR is the one-time 300 perfect holder, Mannex dela Torre inclusive of the team of the Calabarzon under the leadership of Benny Quiambao and Rene Cepeda. The Riyadh 500 bowlers will be coming in with three (3) of their (3) dream teams. R500 chaired by Dante Prado is expected to give a tough competition to its counterparts in Khobar 500/Filipina bowlers represented by Chairs Jun Canar and Willie Abella.

The Filipino Overseas Bowlers of Riyadh (FOBR) has been allocated four (4) teams. At the helm of FOBR is Chair Boy Fogata and will be banking on his top caliber bowlers Ernee Noto, Arcy Consolacion, Ricky Simbulan, Dennis Buen, Eddie Eder and other elite players from the FOBR group.

The Organizing Committee is overjoyed with the enthusiastic response of the invited Club. The spirit of unity and friendship is in the air. This year’s theme "Pagkakaisa At Pagkakaibigan Ng Mga Pilipino Sa Ibayong Dagat" is indeed first and foremost and gladly upheld. The host Club promises this year’s event to be a worthwhile and rewarding experience.

Apart from the traditional trophies, fabulous gifts and prizes await the lucky participants. Sponsors for this year’s event are, The Global Filipino, AGFA National Services Co., Nasma Food Co. Ltd., Al Zamil Group, Zahid Group, Sky Freight Forwarders and Saudi Formaldehyde among others.