RIYADH: Ronald Bautista of Unica Team and Lulu Quejada of Fathi’s Angels and D’Best emerged the 2009 Masters champions in the 3rd UFTBR Haj Goodwill Games at Hotel Al Khozama Bowling Center here.
Sharing the limelight were Ric Ventura of D’Amazing and Princess Tabago of the UFTBR Ladies whose outstanding performances belied their beginner status.
In the men’s Masters stepladder finals, Bautista overwhelmed top finisher Edwin Atienza of Fathi’s Angels defeating him in two games 192-148 and 215-169.
In the ladies division top-ranked Quejada overcame the serious challenge posed by Princess Tabago in the first game to win by 179-177.
Bautista and Quejada were awarded UFTBR champion trophies, cash prizes and gift items from the organizers.
In addition, Bautista won the team event with Unica and the trios with Andro Tismo and Fareed Aquino while also taking the 2nd runner-up position in the all events. Quejada was given a special award for bowling the high game scratch of 238.
Ventura finished No. 5 in the singles events and No. 7 in all events among the 64 male bowlers.
He maintained his position within the magic 5 top qualifiers in the six-game Masters series. In the first stepladder match, Ventura defeated ace bowler Johnny de Asis and the reigning GCC All Filipino Masters champion RJ Feria (163 – 194 – 223) in the three-man shootout. But his progress was cut short by the eventual champion Bautista who rolled 234 to Ventura’s 214.
Princess Tabago was the ladies all events champion and she also claimed the third spot in the singles event.
The six-game Masters series was a see-saw battle for the top between Tabago and Quejada. On her way to the final she defeated teammate Ian Choco 173-163, after Choco earlier defeated Pat Nave and Lani dela Cruz.
Princess credited her game improvement to her mentor, UFTBR coach and trainer, Vic Barrazona.
The UFTBR Haj Goodwill Games is an annual event in celebration of Eid Al-Adha. It also marked the debut of Riyadh Ladies Bowling Club in the community of unified bowlers of Riyadh.
The six-day tournament had 16 teams playing in four events namely team, doubles singles and Masters event.
Custom made UFTBR crystal trophies, cash prizes and gift items were awarded to the winners of each event as follows:
Team event: Champion Unica 4032 (Arnel Gordovez, Marvin Arocena, Ronald Bautista, Andro Tismo, Fareed Aquino) 1st runner-up Stesa Thales 3906 (Boni Manalang, Abe Abulencia, Majid Asgari, Joe Garrido, Jojo Paciano) 2nd runner-up FOBR 3858 (Johnny de Asis, Art Palustre, Martin Ball, Cezar de Mesa, Juliet de Asis)
Trios: Champion Unica 2408 (Ronald Bautista, Andro Tismo, Fareed Aquino) 1st runner-up Lords of the Lane 2325 (Dennis Durens, Steve Perez, Celis Viloria) 2nd runner up SACO for Hardware 2282 (Bella Sabico, Willy Nogoy, Al Alfonso) Doubles: Champion Stesa Thales 1658 (Majid Asgari, Joe Garido) 1st runner-up Boknoy Bowlers 1612 (Fhel Ramos, Benito Santos) 2nd runner-up Lords of the Lane 1610 (Rico Feria, Alfred Valencia)
Singles: Men’s division — Champion Arnel Crizaldo (Swedtel Elite Bowlers) 1119 1st runner-up Boni Manalang (Stesa-Thales) 1111 2nd runner-up Celis Viloria (Lord of the Lanes) 1081
Ladies division — Champion Beth Danganan (Fathi’s Angels and D’Best) 996 1st runner-up Juliet de Asis (FOBR Team ) 965 2nd runner up Princess Tabago (UFTBR Ladies ) 945
All events — Men’s (13 games) 1.Rico Feria 2814 2.Joe Garrido 2696 3.Ronald Bautista 2669
All events — Ladies (13 games) 1. Princess Tabago 2551 2.Juliet de Asis 2472 3. Beth Danganan 2452
Masters — Men’s Champion Ronald Bautista 1st runner up Edwin Atienza 2nd runner up Ric Ventura 3rd runner-up RJ Feria 4th runner up Johnny de Asis 5th runner-up
Masters — Ladies Champion Lulu Quejada 1st runner-up Princess Tabago 2nd runner-up Ian Choco 3rd runner-up Pat Nave 4th runner-up Lani dela Cruz
Special awards: High game scratch Quejada 238, high game hdcp Joe Garrido 277
Participating teams: 1. Swedtel Elite Bowlers (Ricky Talde team captain) 2. FOBR (Johnny de Asis) 3. Unica (Arnel Gordovez) 4. UFTBR Team Unity (Mar Balmeo) 5. Lucky Strike (Edwin Timango) 6. Stesa Thales (Boni Manalang) 7. SACO for Hardware (Jim dela Rosa) 8. Fathi’s Angels and D’ Best (Lulu Quejada) 9. Jovie Jove (Jove Marano) 10. Boknoy Bowlers (Bobby Jamora) 11. RTBC Cool Runnings (Allie Zacarias) 12. M n M Team (Joel Lambo) 13. Kasali Kami (Fathi Abdulaziz) 14. UFTBR Ladies (Pat Nave) 15. D’ Amazing (Ric Ventura) 16. Lord of the Lanes (Dennis Durens)
The organizing committee thanked AlKhozama Bowling Center, UFTBR member donors and the group’s loyal members for helping make this event of the Unified Filipino Tenpin Bowlers of Riyadh a big success.
