Sky Freight Forwarders and Paradise Brand fought a thrilling battle for Team of the Week honors that ended in a tie, the first time two teams shared the award in the FTBJ-ICBL 33rd Conference bowling tournament at Jeddah Lanes here.

Both teams finished the four-phased session on 36 points with Taurus RDLR three points adrift on 33.

The previous week honoree, Alliance in Motion, was the other team to cross 30 points on 31. Lance & 3rdy was a shade under 30 at 29.

Boleros, under increasing pressure from Paradise Brand, pooled 24 points in sixth place followed by Lucky Strike 22, D’ Barkads 20 and Hidada Ltd. 16. GM Pin Pals and MJ Bowlers brought up the rear on 12 and 5.

Taurus swept the 9th week individual awards with Jimmy Urbano winning the men’s Bowler of the Week accolade and teammate Tess Marasigan taking the ladies award. Urbano fired the high series of 656 while Marasigan had the best score of 581 on the distaff side.

Sky Freight and Paradise bowlers traded wins in the first two games. Paradise finished second to Taurus in the second game but Emy de Guzman’s Sky Freight won overall output with Igna Salgado’s team in second place.

For this session, Sky Freight kept the faith in five players combination, led by veteran Rene Santiago who drilled 638. Goying Salazar returned 617 and Atoi Cruz had 613 while the ladies duo of Grace Dasas and Babes Tiongson tallied 553 and 537.

Majid Aslani was the main man at Paradise, hitting 618 to go with the 566 by Salgado, 547 by Lourdes Punzalan, 527 by Marie Gumpal, 198 by Paul Antiporda and 188-223 by Rey Beltran. This week’s result gives second place back to Paradise and cuts Boleros lead at the top to 2 points.

Alex Flora and Alma Bacero joined Urbano and Marasigan as the players to complete three games at Taurus on 578 and 556 with Obie Ycasas on 164-162 and Richard Junio on 162.

The trio of Cris Villavelez, Michelle Mata, Randy Mata and Ester Jalata took charge at Alliance with rounds of 644, 571, 565 and 541.

Over at Lance & 3rdy Ric Reformado carded the top score of 614. Evelyn Santoc contributed 576, Aisah Silabay made 558, while Ver Jasa, June Estefano and Ding dela Rosa each had two games of 139-200, 201-188 and 182-141 in that order.

Team standings after the 9th week:

1. Boleros 266.0 points 2. Paradise Brand 264.0 3. Alliance in Motion Global 261.5 4. Sky Freight Forwarders 246.0 5. Lance & 3rdy 229.0 6. Lucky Strike 221.0 7. Taurus RDLR 209.5 8. Hidada Ltd. 208.0 9. D’ Barkads 185.5 10. GM Pin Pals 159.5 11. MJ Bowlers 126.0