Five out of the eight teams that failed to make it outright to stepladder finals advanced to the semifinal round.

But the bad news is only one will have a chance for the major prizes as it joins waiting finalists JP Gilas, Purefoods Hotdog and Alliance in Motion Global to the four-team stepladder stage in the FTBJ-ICBL 34th Conference bowling tournament at Ice Land Bowling Center here.

Leading the five qualifiers after a three games knockout were D’ Barkads of Leo Edejer on 27 points. Nanding Siasoco’s Hidada Ltd. and Lance & Thirdy of Evelyn Santoc tied on 25, D’ Frontiers mentored by Grace Funtilon qualified fourth on 20 and Daryl Loquais’ Pin Crushers sealed the fifth spot on 18. Eliminated were Sky Freight-OSN, Lucky Strike and GM Pin Pals.

These five teams play another knockout of two games with handicap, and the highest scorer moves on in the first match of the stepladder round against No. 3 AMG.

The No. 1 Gilas enjoys a twice to beat edge against its challenger in the championship match.

In topping the knockout round D’ Barkads had the duo of Edejer and Ed Sardiña leading the way on 552 and 547. From the distaff side, Thess Grandia added 507 and Cheryl Tibay 449. Rally Zamora tossed in 147-199 and Dan Ednave had 175.

The trio of Grace Siasoco, Pinky Acato and Nonie Yap laid the foundation of the Hidada total on 534, 526 and 525 that went with the 438 by Nanding, 211-166 by Pancho Cuevas and 152 by Romy Bunagan.

Aisah Silabay led Lance on 590 followed by Santoc 469 and June Estefano. With two games each were Ver Jasa 176-114, Ding dela Rosa 157-173 and Ric Reformado 180-175.

D’ Frontiers used a five-man rotation that Nezar Mohd. Led on 503. Mike Protacio had 502 with Funtilon on 483, Ally Bin 473 and Ric Antonio 453.