RIYADH: All eyes were on defending champion, Riyad Bank team, but it was BSF and SABB teams mentored by Jun Bantug and Ahmed Qarquosh that took the center stage during the first two weeks of the 2015 Interbank Tenpin Bowling League.

BSF’s outstanding performance registered a towering overall series with handicap of 3695 pinfalls to romp off with the coveted Team of the Week award and claim the top spot on opening day of the Interbank Tenpin Bowlers of Riyadh new season.

They crushed former champion Saudi Hollandi Bank 315-185. Veteran Abet Minoza led his five-man team to victory by tallying 835 four-game series. He was assisted by Noel Morales (762), Edwin Timango (710), Yusuf Fernandez (709) and Dawood Sereno (676).

Saudi Hollandi Bank grabbed the third game and got even on the fourth. Straight bowler Gerry Ayonon hit best form to grab the Bowler of the Week plum shooting the high series of 869 on lines of 232, 223, 200 and 214. He was supported by team captain Greg Antonio and Clem Salazar on 832 and 698 respectively. Val Baraquio downed 488 in three games while Cholo Nieto and Eckart Gayeta rolled 341 and 305. John Warain added 152 in one game.

In other matches, defending champion Riyad Bank blanked Saudi Investment Bank 260-0 while first runner-up SABB defeated Alinma Bank United 260-50. Second runner-up Alinma Aspire scored 280 points playing as bye.

SABB took the early lead during the second week matches as it scored a gigantic 541 points as bye team. SABB five-man team played exceptionally well as guest player Arnold Jesena tallied 839 four-game series while team captain Ahmed Qarquosh rolled 813. They were assisted by Jaffer Al Kathiri who scored 778, Mohammed Abu Al Saud 759 and Gerry Austria 752.

The match between Alinma Aspire and BSF ended in 2-2 draw but it was Alinma Aspire which edged the opponent 210-160. Jerry Barce was on top of his games on 833. The other scorers were Angelo Train (779), Willie Bondoc (747) and Abdulrahman Ahmed (692). Captain Jojo de Silva and Nayef Al Saud had 316 and 306.

The foursome of Abet Minoza, Edwin Timango, captain Jun Bantug and Noel Morales rallied with four–game series of 777, 742, 704 and 672 respectively to get even with their opponent while Angel Diaz and Dawood Sereno gave the much needed support with 353 and 311.

In other matches, Saudi Hollandi Bank defeated The Saudi Investment Bank 150-130. SHB took the first three games with only 150 win points. However, SAIB grabbed the last game with a perfect score of 130 behind the brilliant performance of Eddison Austria who tallied a four-game series of 858 (245,172, 208, 233) and took home the Bowler of the Week award. Team captain Jonathan Avenido and Joey Salem backed up Austria with 713 and 680 while Leo Octavio had 425 in three games. Julius Queypo and Gil Catulay had 395 and 266.

The match between defending champion Riyad Bank and handicap-rich Alinma United ended in a 2-2 draw (180-130). However, it was Alinma which edged ahead with 50 bonus points in the third game due to combined efforts of Allan Ofreneo, Teody Zulaybar and captain Bobby Ting on 805, 758 and 681 in that order. Deen Thassim and Julius Alfonso contributed 544 and 466 in three games while Bernie Torres had 263 in two games.

The trio of Ric Singson, James Frizzle and captain Zohair Oqilan of Riyad Bank struggled to keep momentum of their games but failed to score high with 748, 639 and 622 four-game series. Ronald Cruz and Ian Choco tallied 622 and 545 in three games while Freddie Solomon had 317.

The tournament is played Monday nights at the Universal Bowling Center and is sponsored by all participating banks.

Standings (Week-2): 1. SABB 801 points 2. Alinma Aspire 490 3. BSF 475 4. Riyad Bank 390 5. Saudi Hollandi Bank 335 6. Alinma United 230 7. SAIB 130