CEBU, Philippines - The triumvirate of Dory Enoveso, Boy Gacho and Bing Barile comprising Team 55 AB 2-BTA proved that age doesn't matter in the sport of bowling as they bagged the team event championship of the Bowlingplex Tenpin Association-organized 13th Sinulog Open the other night at the Gaisano Bowlingplex in Brgy. Banilad, this city.
Enoveso, Gacho and Barile, all members of the BTA 55 years old and above squad, conjured all the skills they could muster to fire the highest aggregate score of 2, 492 pinfalls after four games.
D' Dreamer manned by Alex Lagcao, Omar Marsangca and Ruel Zuñiga copped the second place honors with 2, 469 pinfalls, while Alberto's Pizza powered by Egay Alqueza, Docdoc Gothong and Geff Buyco wound up third with 2, 464, just a hairline ahead of fourth placer BTA composed of BTA president Bede Ilano, Lolong Uy and Johnson Tan.
Team 55 AB 2-BTA took home the champion's purse of P9,000, while D'Dreamer and Alberto's Pizza pocketed P6,000 and P3,000, respectively.
PHL Team members Liza Clutario, Lingling de Guzman and Benshir Layoso of Manila Tenpin Bowling Association (MTBA)-2 placed fifth with 2, 453 pinfalls followed by Kevin Custodio, Fernand Manalo and Ronnie Lara of Prima 6 with 2, 433 pinfalls.
Rounding up the top 10 finishers were Virgo Financing of Vivian Padaan, Inday de Gracia, and Tess Regino (2,416), MTBA-5 of Kenneth Piedad, Ralph Lagrisola and Francis de Leon (2, 403), 55 AB 1-BTA of Sal Bolongan, Dante Calipay and Celi Adolfo (2, 383), and Prima 7 of Adrian Saguinsin, Ariel Young and Rachelle Leon (2, 373).
Singles event
Some of the country's top players led by World Bowling champion and Asian Games gold medallist Biboy Rivera are currently in town to vie for supremacy in the four-day tilt chiefly backed up Zumyrphil, Inc. in partnership with Asian Home Appliance, Albert Surplus, Caravan Coffee, City Express Laundry, Pearl of the Pacific Rent A Car, Telltrans, Inc. and Cebu MMF Glass and Aluminum Supply.
Aside from Rivera, the other stars to watch out for include Raul Miranda, Benshir Layoso, Jonnie Gatchalian, Carlo Mansilungan, Lara Posadas, Liza Clutario and Lingling de Guzman and Clarence Tiu.
They will be challenged by a slew of Cebu's top bets in the mold of Jomar Jumapao, Clarence Tiu, Salve Tesio, Xyrra Cabusas, and BTA Executive VP Bel Suelto to name a few.
The champion will receive P5,000, while the second and third will get P3,000 and P1,000.
Masters showdown
The 10-game masters event will take place today, featuring the top 23 players in the singles competition and the the top three winners in the team contest.
A whopping P50,000 in cash prize is at stake for the overall champion, while the second and third will take home P25,000 and P10,000. The fourth and fifth will grab P5,000 and P3,000, while the sixth to 11th placers will get P500 each.
Special prizes will be given away to the top three senior and lady entries and the player with the highest single game.
Gaisano Bowlingplex manager Klive A. Ramos said a player who can come up with a perfect score will receive a P50,000 bountry plus a brand new refrigerator.
The Sinulog Open is being held in conjunction with the 1st National Bowling Tour. (FREEMAN)