All eyes were on defending champion Shabab SABB, but it was Allinma Bank mentored by ITBR Chairman Bobby Ting that took center stage with a 340-80 victory over Saudi Investment Bank on opening night of the Interbank Tenpin Bowling League 2012 Conference.

The outstanding performances by Alinma bowlers produced a towering overall total team series handicap of 3,691 pinfalls that gave them the Team of the Week award and the early lead in the competition.

Alinma had a little something for an encore in the first week’s action. Jerry Barce, one of its consistent and reliable players, scored an impressive four-game series handicap of 795 while Angel Train, Lito Tolentino, Abdulrahman Ahmed and Romy Burgos contributed separate four-game series of 784, 736, 724 and 652.

Although they grabbed the first game, SAIB of team captain Dong Calub failed to sustain momentum during the next three games. His five-man team composed of Ed Robillos, Eddison Austria, Siraj Zakaria and Julius Queypo failed to score high to match their opponents.

SAMA-Abana Unified finished second best with an easy 210-50 victory over BSF-CBG. Guest player Jun Macarandan burned the lanes with 732 four-game series. He was assisted by veteran Bernie Torres (747), captain Teody Zulaybar (710), Jun Bolocboloc (704) and David Smart (689).

Ricky Dominguez was the top scorer in BSF-CBG with four-game series of 704 followed by Abet Miñoza, Guilbert Mesias and Art Bumatay with 697, 681 and 677 respectively. Team captain Ken Hechanova rolled 452 in three games while Dennis Buot had 130.

PNB Unified captained by Usman Navarro crushed Shabab SABB 180-50. Straight bowler Ronald Cruz tallied the night’s high series of 803 to become the first recipient of the Bowler of the Week award.

He was assisted by the trio of James Frizzle, Sonny Alviso and Mixi Lechuga who carded 702, 687 and 572. Tenz Taeza and Jun Jamlang had 354 and 282 in two games.

The defending champions had only four players and started slow with fourth game win. Arnold Jesena led the team with 700 four-game series while veteran Jaffer Kathiri, captain Ahmed Qarquosh and Fahad Al Heza had 661, 636 and 629.

The match between former champions Saudi Hollandi Bank and Banque Saudi Fransi ended in a draw with 100 points each. BSF sealed the first two games thanks to the combined efforts of Edwin Timango, Noel Morales and captain Jun Bantug, who rolled 720, 709 and 690. They were assisted by Joseph Adao, Danny Encinas and Dawood Sereno with 290, 263 and 262 scratch scores in two games, while Ric Camara and Jerry Villanueva had 154 and 145.

SHB grabbed the last two games behind the excellent performances of Arnel Bernabe, Rodel Yap and Cholo Nieto with 669, 667 and 644 in that order. They were supported by Val Baraquio and Gerry Ayonon with 470 and 452 while John Warain added 326.

Sponsored by all participating banks and played Tuesday nights at the InterContinental Hotel Bowling Center, the tournament uses the double-round robin eliminations format with a mid-positioning, semifinals and championship rounds. Only bonafide employees and contractual staff of local banks are allowed to participate in the games.

InterBank committee officers are: Ting of Alinma Bank, chairman; Froy Garcia of Riyad Bank, director for Finance; Teody Zulaybar of SAMA, director for Statistics and all team captains for the technical committee.

Standings (1st week): 1. Alinma Bank 340 points 2. SAMA-Abana Unified 210 3. PNB Unified 180 4. Banque Saudi Fransi 100 5. Saudi Hollandi Bank 100 6. SAIB 80 7. BSF-CBG 50 8. Shabab SABB 50