JEDDAH: Steelers made a big move prior to the positioning round as they won Team of the Week honors during the 18th session in the FTBJ-ICBL Sky Freight Forwarders League at the Bowling City here.

It was the fourth award for Steelers, the most of any team, and their total of 47 points was a league best they share with Sadafco and only 1 shy of the perfect 48.

More important, the Steelers rose two places to third in the team standings with a chance to contend for one of three outright berths.

Sadafco posted 39 points on the day in rearguard action that should help it keep the No. 1 spot after this Friday’s positioning round.

Al Murjana tallied 37 points in third place followed by Par Excellence 32, D’ Barkads 29.5, Rock n Roll 29 and Sky Freight-OSN 24.5.

Masaken found its grip on second place being challenged by Steelers after a so-so session that saw it settle for a modest 22 points. Hidada Ltd. and Ceebee Aviation tied on 15 points while Sagmit Dental Clinic, fresh off a grand slam week, and ICBL Mix Inserts brought up the rear on 13 and 9.

The day’s individual Bowler of the Week awards went to Marie Gumpal of Sadafco and Emil Payongayong of Par Excellence on 622 nad 683 respectively.

Fifth at the start of the day, Steelers picked up pace fast, winning the next two games and overall output after losing the first to Murjana, which turned out to be the spoiler to what could have been the league’s first perfect 48 by Steelers.

Randy Mata and Ric Antonio shot matching cards of 678s to be at the forefront of the Steelers with Nezar Mohd likewise solid on 651. Michelle Mata contributed 584 and Grace Funtilon made 517 in a five-man Steelers rotation.

Gumpal surprisingly outscored everyone on Sadafco with Andy Yumena getting beat by 1 pin on 621. Team captain Igna Salgado came through with 590 while Marissa Resano on 520 was the other player to go the distance. Gerry Mandanas had 197-211 and Majid Aslani 212 in the remaining three Sadafco games.

Murjana had Jess Pineda joining the 600-series scorers on 637. Sharmaine Patayan was just short on 599. The other contributors were Nap Patayan 598, Richard Manaog 572 and Susan Patayan 571.

Besides Payongayong the others that helped the Par cause were Ester Santoc 565 and Nurissa Ramos 525 from the distaff side, Yasser Hokbi 593 and Archie Santos 562.

The duo of Leo Edejer and Ed Sardiña led D’ Barkads on 621 and 601.

Among those to cross 600 were Rock n Roll’s Faisal Relativo 677, Sky Freight’s Goying Salazar 625 and Ceebee’s Pancho Cuevas 601.

Team standings after the 18th week:

1. Sadafco/Saudia Milk 573.5 points 2. Masaken 526.0 3. Steelers 522.5 4. Sky Freight-OSN 502.0 5. Hidada Ltd. 495.5 6. Sagmit Dental Clinic 452.0 7. D’ Barkads 450.5 8. Par Excellence 445.0 9. Al Murjana 432.5 10. Rock n Roll 416.0 11. Ceebee Aviation 415.5 12. ICBL Mis Insert 382.5