RIYADH: Ric Tugonon, with a twice to beat privilege as the top finalist, overcame a loss in the first game at the hands of youthful Richard Feria in the stepladder finals to capture the prestigious FBGR 2009 Bowler of the Year title.

The event caps the 2009 season of Filipino Bowling Group of Riyadh (FBGR).

Class A bowler Tugonon, a lefty who works at Ericsson AB as senior quality engineer, was forced to play a second and deciding game after taking a comprehensive beating from Feria 252-184.

In the battle for all the marbles Feria took the early lead by converting a turkey but Tugonon bounced back in the remaining frames to roll five consecutive strikes en route to the title.

Besides the crystal champion trophy Tugonon took home a 37-inch Sony Bravia LCD television. Feria settled for the 32-inch Sony Bravia LCD TV set and crystal trophy. Rico Feria placed third after losing the match to his son Richard at a score of 155-184. The elder Feria won one complete set of MediaCom and crystal trophy. Jove Marano took the fourth position and the Sony mini component prize and trophy that went with it by humbling Yasser Mohammed 251-169. Mohammed received a Sony DVD player and crystal trophy. The monthly champions each played a six-game series with handicap during the semifinal round to determine the top 10 that will fight it out for places in the five-man stepladder finals.

The top 10 players after the semifinal: 1. Atoi Ramos 2. Ric Tugonon 3. Yasser Mohammed 4. Rico Feria 5. Bert Lopez 6. Richard Feria 7. Fareed Aquino 8. Sonny Alviso 9. Ruben Babasa 10. Jove Marano Top five finalists: 1. Ric Tugonon 2. Richard Feria 3. Rico Feria 4. Yasser Mohammed 5. Jove Marano. Sixth to 10th spots received a cash prize of SR200.

Standings of other monthly champions: 11. Ben Torrefiel , 12, Danny Nabong, 13. Glenn Espiritu, 14. Ruben Rialon, 15. Cas Encila, 16. Allan dela Rosa , 17. Fahad Al-Haza, 18. Nelson Respicio, 19. Fred Dioquino and 20. Gayner Elias, 21. Bonnie Manalang, 22. Fem Baracoso, 23. Jojo Paciano , 24. Jerry Austria, 25. Ronald Bautista , 26. Gigi Enriquez, 27. Ruben Tan, 28. Jess Ambon , 29. Joe Ligon, 30. Sonny Bongcarawan, 31. Zaldy Torres, 32. Wilson Bacala, 33. Noli Ritual, 34. Yusof Fernandez ; 35. Mel Solas , 36. Rodel Molina , 37. Ely Fanugao, 38. Arnel Gordovez, 39. Nap Torres , 40. Mario Rivera , 41. Cris Crisostomo, 42. Arnold Quindara, 43. Leo Mabunga, 44. Rodel Canda, 45. Bobby Jamora , 46. Allan Doruelo , 47. Jun Bantug , 48. Ariel Feliciano , 49. Arnold Jesena, 50. AJ Bonifacio, 51. Charles Rosauro, 52. Victor Edan, 53. Marc Carpio.

The season-ending FBGR 2009 Annual Bowling Tournament was a resounding success thanks to the untiring efforts of FBGR officials particularly Allan dela Rosa and Rodel Canda.

Meanwhile, the FBGR 2009 Mini-Bowling League staged in cooperation with the Universal Bowling Center management, started on Dec. 4 and will end on Jan. 11 next year. The games are played Mondays at 7 p.m. and Fridays at 1:30 p.m. at the Universal Bowling Center (UBC).