RIYADH, 18 January — Filipina Ellen Bernabe was forced to come from behind to win the Aloy Mier One-Day Farewell Tournament organized by the Overseas Filipino Workers Bowlers of Riyadh (OFWBR) as she beat American Pauline Kambouries in just less than an hour to boost her ahead in the final stepladder match to capture the title at the Riyadh Inter-Continental Hotel Bowling Center.
Bernabe who finished second behind the top finisher Kambouries after the six games in the semifinal rolled a six game series of 1206 defeated twice the top finisher Kambouries during the stepladder match final. Bernabe scored 190 and 194 while Kambouries had 169 and 189.
Prior to the stepladder match final, Bernabe proved to herself that she is still capable of winning a title when he humbled finisher No. 3, Jomarie de Luna and finisher no. 4, Zeny Siapco. Bernabe downed a high game score of 207 while De Luna and Siapco scored 179 and 178. Siapco shot a game high of 254 to win the first match against finisher No. 6, Jimmy Medina and finisher no. 6, Pep Maghinay. Medina downed 194 and Maghinay. Siapco’s convincing win over Medina and Maghinay boosted herself of winning the next match against the finishers 2 and 3, Bernabe and De Luna. At the start of game, Siapco led over Bernabe and De Luna till the fifth frames and bogged down of error in the next frame when she missed to spare a single pin which gave Bernabe to lead by converting a double strikes to win the match. De Luna secured the third position while Siapco settled for fourth place. Jimmy Medina and Pep Maghinay took the 5th and 6th positions, respectively.
"It’s not every day you win a title. I’ve started a new streak and it’s a great way to start the year", the jubilant Bernabe said after winning the title. For her feat, Bernabe won a 14" Samsung colored T.V. donated by Arnold Alday and his family, plus a cash prize and trophy. The runner-ups received cash prizes too while the high game scratch holder, Jimmy Medina went home with a cash prize and trophy.
Benjie Domado and Yuli Braganza landed in seventh and eight positions, respectively with a separate series of 1123 and 1122. Occupying the ninth and tenth positions are Manny Balangue (1121) and Yusuf Fernandez (1115). A.J. Bonifacio settled for eleven place with a series of 1114.
