RIYADH, 7 May 2004 — It took Ball Innovations this long to claim Team of the Week honors, but the wait was well worth it. Ball Innovations landed the award with an inspiring 3-1 victory over three-time defending champion Stinger during the 23rd session of the Sabado Nights Bowling League 16th Conference at the Al Khozama Bowling Center here.
The only team at this late stage in the tournament not to win the coveted award, Ball Innovations produced the best output of 3,881 in a performance made even more memorable by the fact that Stinger was a big catch. Emil Rances emerged Bowler of the Week as he carried his team, Snap Shots 3, to a 3-1 victory over first round champion Insektos. Snap Shots 3 had an output of 3,864 as against the Insektos’s 3,583.
XTRM Fusion hammered out a 3-1 triumph over Xtra Pins on total pinfalls of 3,734 and 3,375, while R.M. & The Hotshots drew with Samsco 2-2 (3,723-3,553) in the other matches in the five-man team league event sponsored by Restaurant Korean Palace. Arnel Gordovez shot the top score of 769 for the Ball Innovations that had restricted Stinger to a modest tally of 3,642. Leo Agote came through with 757, Rusty Harbert adding 748, Fred Zacarias 745 and Babes Nival 697.
Rances carded the high series of 853 on games of 169, 176, 176 and 220 in showing the way home to teammates Johnny de Asis (799), Remy Pantaleon (734), Ric Tugonon (630), Napoleon Torres (360) and Jun Sabalburo (323).
Ding Galvez also breached the 800-series mark at 801 to pace XTRM Fusion, which also drew 769 from Jett Cabana, 720 from Rodel Cansanay, 707 from Alex Bandoy and 587 from skipper Cesar de Mesa.
Team standings after the 23rd week:
1. Stinger 22,671.75; 2. Samsco 21,580.00; 3. Xtra Pins 21,451.25; 4. Snap Shots 3 21,405.75; 5. Insektos 21,348.50; 6. T.J. Bowlers 20,913.00; 7. R.M. & The Hotshots 20,807.00; 8. XTRM Fusion 20,476.50; 9. Ball Innovations 19,665.00.
