Buyco grabs singles title in BTA Sinulog bowlfest

CEBU, Philippines - The youthful Cebuano pinbuster Geophil John (GJ) Buyco pulled the biggest surprise of his budding career after he outclassed a host of veteran and talented players to claim the singles event title of the 13th Bowlingplex Tenpin Association (BTA) Sinulog Open yesterday at the Gaisano Bowlingplex in Brgy. Banilad, this city.

Buyco of Team Prima 3 hit a total of 1, 372 pinfalls or an average of 229ppg in the six-game series to stun a strong field of opposition that include World Bowling champion and Asian Games gold medallist Biboy Rivera, PHL Team member and two-time Sinulog Open masters titlist Benshir Layoso and Cebu's top bet Jomar Jumapao to name a few.

"Wa gyud ko magdahum nga ingon ato akong duwa. Nalipay ko nga nikalit ko og top mao to nga ako na lang sab gipadayon (I really did not expect to play that good. I'm so happy that I suddenly came out on top and I just sustained it all the way)," said the 14-year-old sophomore student from St. Louis School of Mandaue.

The Davao City-native Ian Ancheta of Manila Tenpin Bowling Association (MTBA)-7 took the second place honors with 1, 313 pinfalls followed by Manila's Carlo Mansilungan of Prima 5 with 1, 298.

Buyco went home P5,000 richer, while Ancheta and Mansilungan pockected P3,000 and P1,000, respectively.

Completing the top 10 cast were Anne Ramirez of Archie's Angels (1,296), Jomar Jumapao of Prima 8 (1,293), Sam Lagcao of Prima 4 (1, 289), Alex Lagcao of D' Dreamer (1,287), Andrew Yap of Prima 2(1,281), Ariel Young of Prima 7 (1,273), and Celi Adolfo of 55 AB 1-BTA (1, 267).

 Aside from finishing fourth in the singles competition, Ramirez had other reason to cheer for as she bagged a special award for being the top finisher among the lady participants.

Celi Adolfo got the honor in the seniors category, while Ralph Lagrisola of MTBA 5 posted the highest single game (scratch) of 288 pinfalls.

On the other hand, Aui Padawan of Prima 2 defeated Salve Tesio of the Cebu Institute of Technology University (CIT-U), 432-362, to clinch the first ever championship of the BTA National Bowling Tour.

The 17-year-old Padawan booked a final ticket after edging out Thomas Convoy, 206-160, while Tesio advanced after beating Luke Bolongan, 234-206.

 In the battle for third, Bolongan upended Convoy, 466-391. (FREEMAN)