Rico Bulalayao and Carol Rio both went all the way to claim the men’s and ladies’ titles in the Overseas Filipino Bowlers Club (OFBC) 5th Year Anniversary Tournament last Friday at the Iceland Bowling Center here.
Bulalayao and Rio led the top five into the championship in their divisions after the five games eliminations, and never looked back to be the last players standing at the end of the fun-filled event that attracted not only OFBC members but guests as well to celebrate the club’s foundation day.
The championship round’s first match featured the players ranked Nos. 3, 4 and 5 in a one-game knockout with handicap with the winner to face No. 2 for the right to challenge the waiting No. 1 for the championship crown.
Bulalayao, a two-time Bowler of the Week in the OFBC Friday afternoon league and July champion in the monthly series, carried his form into last Friday’s one-day event.
After topping the eliminations, Bulalayao needed only another win to become the champion. It was not even close — Bulalayao routing Richard Junio by 236-176 pinfalls.
Junio, the No. 4 qualifier, had earlier won the first match of the championship against No. 5 Rodel Tacson and No. 3 Danny Atubang. Junio beat Tacson via the high-low rule after they tied on 190, with Atubang on 175.
Against second seed Toto Lim, Junio had little trouble, winning 171-142.
On the ladies side Rio did not give Malou Nidoy a chance to defend her title, as their decisive match for the crown ended 161-149 to the new champion.
Like Junio Nidoy was seeded fourth and likewise won two matches to earn a shot at the title, beating No. 3 Vangie Lim, No. 5 Farida Guzman and No. 2 Shiela Monserate 179-156. Nidoy tallied 176 in the opening match of the finals to Lim’s 151 and De Guzman’s 126.
The two champions were each awarded cash prize and trophy while the runners-up received cash prizes during the prize distribution ceremony that followed the final matches.
Benj Espinosa generously donated a 40-inch LED television set for the men’s grand raffle draw. Espinosa, Rudy Valenzuela and Vic Gonzales collectively donated another 32-inch LED TV set for the ladies grand raffle draw.
To the credit of OFBC officers and members the tournament was a big success.
Top five qualifiers:
Men’s division — 1. Rico Bulalayao 889 2. Toto Lim 888 3. Danny Atubang 883 4. Richard Junio 874 5. Rodel Tacson 872
Ladies’ division — 1. Carol Rio 802 2. Shiela Monserate 793 3. Vangie Lim 774 4. Malou Nidoy 766 5. Farida De Guzman 761

Source:Arabnews