Outright qualifier for the last berth Pin Rockers survived playoff winner BCT Mongoose and carried their momentum against Pin Crushers and Ekis-5 to earn the right to challenge the waiting top qualifier and defending champion Micah’s Pride for the championship in the FEDBG Friday Morning Bowling League 14th Conference at the Bowling City here.

In the first match, BCT Mongoose was advantage till third player of the last frame. But Pin Rockers team captain Rudy Valenzuela came into the rescue with his double strikes shoring up their chance.

An open last frame of BCT captain Emil Payongayong placed Pin Rockers in the upper hand as Kaleem Salim marked his last frame to close the match at 1058-1048. Valenzuela heroically led Pin Rockers with 195 while Romy Bunagan had 193, Cesar Monares 182, Minda Guevarra 171, Archie Santos 162 and Kaleem 155. Payongayong led BCT with 215 followed by Jun Pingan 188, Rod Lofamia 181, Melo Amano 168, Elisa Fernandez 164 and Richard Antonio 132.

Against Pin Crushers, it was Guevarra who top-scored at 208 for Pin Rockers which Edu Toledo countered with 214 on the other side. Ladio Gonzales (190) and Jay Bengco (195) delivered well too to neutralize Valenzuela (199) and Kaleem (194).

But what gave Pin Rockers the edge was the trio of Santos, Bunagan and Monares totaling 526 compared to Aileen Miralbuna, Tito Cruz and Pin Crushers team chief Dariel Loquias that posted 485 to end the match at 1127-1092.

The match against Ekis-5 tuned out the easiest for Pin Rockers as the former missed the services of the vacationing stalwart Zaldy Bacero. The same Pin Rockers’ lineup just traded marks then pulled away in the homestretch to conclude their sojourn to finals at 1149-1058.

Valenzuela, Santos, Bunagan, Guevarra, Kaleem and Monares rolled 185, 204, 174, 184, 202 and 200 respectively while Ekis-5 had Grino, Malou Gime, Faisal Relativo, Jimmy Mandingiado, Frank Afurong and team captain Ernie Geslani shooting 153, 178, 174, 183, 193 and 177 in that order.

The victories set the Pin Rockers up against Micah’s Pride which will try to defend the title with roster starring Oca Bernabe, Rolly Vistal, Renato Gonzales, Tommy Kamal and team captain and manager Ester Santoc. Micah’s Pride enjoys twice-to-beat privilege.