Richard Antonio made the necessary adjustments after a slow start to emerge the men’s champion while Ester Santoc patiently plodded on to capture the ladies title in the FEDBG (Filipino Expatriates Damayan Bowling Group) Kalayaan Cup 2013 at the Bowling City here.

Antonio’s dramatic trek started when he placed second to Priz Calidro at stage one then eliminated Ed Viray, Romy Bunagan and Renato Gonzales during the 1-game shootout to face the Class C top finisher.

Hitting string of strikes, Antonio ousted top finisher Calidro at 220-178 to face OA, B and DE survivors Oca Bernabe, Ruben Grino and Dylan Ilagan. Bernabe left top favorite Zaldy Bacero disappointed after winning their match 253-208, Grino upset Alex Flora 188-170 and Ilagan outbowled Rey Feliciano.

In the 2-game 4-bowler finals battle, Grino rolled at average to lead after the first game at 194 followed by Bernabe 186, Ilagan 162 and Antonio 156.

But the change of lanes made a big difference for Antonio as got back on track on lanes 5 and 6, while Ilagan likewise coped well on lanes 7 and 8. Reaching the homestretch, he pierced through Bernabe and Grino’s blockades.

Then on the last frame hook bowler Antonio took a mark from Ilagan to eventually won by four pins on two-game totals of 367-363. Grino and Bernabe landed third and fourth on 353 and 339 respectively.

On the ladies division, Santoc and Grace Funtilon were tied fourth and fifth on identical score of 185 with Sally Sanosa, Eloisa Fernandez and Alma Bacero in the top three after the initial salvo.

Santoc moved up to 385 after a 200 in the second game behind Sanosa who retained the lead with 397.

Nurissa Ramos claimed third at 384 after a 213. Santoc then took over the top from Sanosa on 565 with a third game score of 180 as Sanosa could only muster 164.

Bacero, Ramos, Fernandez and Funtilon followed the leading duo. The fourth and last game was a battle of stamina between Santoc and Ramos who traded marks in a close 193-190 result.

Santoc won with a computed total of 755. Ramos clinched second place on 735, Sanosa third on 711 and Fernandez fourth on 709. Maris Resano, Lani Zamora and Malou Gime were the other players in the division.