Ambon, Rickett excel in Etihad League

Jess Ambon of SABB Advance and Shawn Rickett of Vinnell Arabia rolled 4-game series of 876 and 891 respectively to become Bowlers of the Week in week 24 of the Unified Filipino Tenpin Bowlers of Riyadh (UFTBR)/Etihad Airways Tuesday Bowling League at the Universal Bowling Center (UBC).
In the team competition, Dabarkads showcased once more their much improved games with a lopsided 21-7 victory over Thrill Seekers.
Doing the most damage for Dabarkads was Ruel Pingol with a series of 893 with support from Angel Caasi (866), Rica Ventura (811), Glenmar Dela Cruz (793), Jude Lozano (454) and Charlie Cheng (350).
With two more sessions remaining in the preliminary round a looming shootout between defending champion Kamahalan, in second place in the standings, and top team NBA is inevitable. Both teams easily won — Kamahalan against SACO Bolts 18-10 and NBA against Pin Hitters 18-9. Both teams have a commanding lead in the team standings and are bound to ultimately clash in the semifinal and final games.
In the battle for third and fourth, Habagat prevailed over Unica 14-10 and maintained its precarious lead in the standings at third position.
Elsewhere, SABB Advance won over Ayaw Na 16-13, Lane Cruiser edged Vinnell Arabia 13-11 and Mandirigma downed Pin Pals 16-10.
The MVP race in Group 1 remains a close fight with Ronald Bautista (213.32 average) maintaining a slim lead over AndroTismo (211.79) and UFTBR Chairman Ernee Noto (211.38). In the Group 2, RodelMaranca still leads with an average of 203.10.
Fathi Abdulaziz (185.75) and Shawn Rickett (185.23) are a little far behind at second and third respectively.
The league’s main sponsor is Etihad Airways, the national airlines of UAE and one of the fastest growing airlines in the Middle East which will offer three return tickets in Coral Economy Class, 2 for Manila and 1 for any Etihad Airways online destination to top individual achievers at the end of the league.
Meantime, the UFTBR No Tap Open Bowling Tournament at the AlKhozama Bowling Center continued to attract bowling aficionados from Riyadh in its second week.
The event is being organized to commemorate UFTBR’s anniversary. Bowlers need to enter a minimum of three blocks (3 games per block) to qualify.
The top 32 qualifiers will move to the semifinal rounds on March 28 and the final rounds on March 29 featuring the the top eight finishers in the semifinals. Cash and special prizes await the winners.
The event chairman is Art Palustre with support from UFTBR Officers and Work Committee members.