RIYADH, 25 October — KKUH-KSU Strikers, under the aegis of Pat Nave, subdued Stinger Bowlers to clinch in three straight years the championship title of the KKUH-KSU Invitational Bowling League, now on its 18th Conference at the 8-lane Al-Khozama Bowling Center here.
"They were truly invincible", exclaimed Boy Fogata after his Stinger Bowlers team was subdued in the 4-game championship round that produced an incredible battle of prowess, technical wit, strength and stamina. Having a line-up of big names in the Filipino bowling community and with the 3-point advantage at the start of the finals, the Stingers were quite confident that they would stop the KKUH-KSU Strikes from the three-peat championship streak.
The Strikers, however, were damned ready for the big fight because they also had prominent bowlers in their stable. They were led by perfect record holder Majid Asgari, who bombarded Lanes 7 and 8 with 12 solid strikes on July 3 for a perfect 300 game.
The prodding for the three-peat success along with the chance to keep the perpetual trophy by mentor Pat Nave, the Strikers were indeed ready for the great battle. The final match commenced with fiery exchange of marks and when the dust was cleared and the final tally was tabulated, KKUH-KSU Strikers posted a total score of 278 points and clinched their third championship title.
The Strikers were energized by the muscles of Ibs Nave, Rico Feria, Rudy Usudan, Rolly Abanto, Joe Nakhong, Denden Ponsaran, Gladys Acosta and Toom Sriprom. Erstwhile leader Stinger Bowlers, who had been leading the pack of 8 powerhouse teams for many months, have had a 3-point advantage before the start of the final four games. At the start they were oozing of confidence to claim the title but they went awry and lost their formidable bowling skills.
The quintet of Arcie Consolacion, Ronnie Cayde, Fe Cayde, Rachel Tismo and skipper Boy Fogata produced poor results and only scored two points till the third game while KKUH had 11.
It was on the last set that the Stringers were able to find their right spots. Defiant Enrique ‘Boy’ Fogata, FOBR immediate past chairman and Stinger Bowlers team Manager, never gave up the fight and continued to led the up-hill battle for the top position. Fogata blasted his games with solid hits and delighted the crowd at Al-Khozama when he rocked Lanes 1 and 2 with a series of 12 pocket strikes.
His sterling performances produced an incredible perfect score of 300. Although the Stingers scored a hefty 5 maximum points, they failed to defend their precarious lead. At the end, the Stingers registered 273 points and settled on the second place with the support of Ricky Simbulan, George Avellana, Melette Honculada, Rita Sison and Joy Simbulan. For three straight years, the Stinger Bowlers and the KKUH-KSU Strikers were always at odds for the championship crown.
Like the two other conferences (16th and 17th) the Stingers were frequently on top of the pack. It was always on the final match that the Strikers would subdue the Stingers. KKUH-KSU Strikers will now keep the Perpetual Trophy after winning the title in three straight years, on the 16th, 17th and 18th Conference of the Invitational League.
At a distant third were the SEC-CRB Strikers with 246 points. Led by Rick Rivera, SEC-CRB team is composed of Tony Jimenea, Touie Agtarap, Fred Buenaventura, Nestor Lanada, Rey Prez, Jane Guiang, Vicky Vitug, Ian Choco and Esther Melgar. The team of Kizoom, a point away, landed on the fourth place with 245 points.
Alma Lee is the captain ball. Philip Lee, Eddie Bonner, Arnel Garlan, Jun Balubayan, Fe Ricalde, Lola Crosthwaite, Evelyn Bonner and Dinah Simbulan are the members. On the 5th place is D’Ratz Bowlers with 232 points. The line-up includes Bert Garduzue, Ali Shuhri, Freddie Base, Wilson Ringor, Bernie Magbag, Joe Rafael, Jing Roque, Lauro Ringor, Beth Danganan and team captain Cely Mendoza . Following the Top 5 are the Path Finders at a score of 229 points. They are Mar Balmeo, Rodel Huidem, Nestor Gonzaga, Bobby Jamora, Celis Villoria, Ellen Balmeo, Prima Abulencia, Joy Huidem, Jane Guerrero and team captain Abe Abulencia.
The BAE team of Caloy Palenzuela got 219 points. His players were Dennis Buen, Art Palustre, Allan Doruelo, Ernie Aquino, Wilson Bacala, Rina Labo, Zeny Siapco, Linda Decasa and Lani de la Cruz. Cesar de Mesa was the mentor of Sunburst Yellow that earned 216 points. His wards include Sam Bejar, Ding Galvez, Ferdie Ramos, Bert Ambo, Dolly Lledo, Celsa Famadico, Ellen Bernabe, Edith Hatcha and Fe Divinagracia. The Top 12 Elite Bowlers, Men’s Division, were: Rodel Huidem, Arnel Garlan, Arcie Consolacion, Boy Fogata, Rico Feria, Rudy Usudan, Jun Balubayan, Majid Asgari, Wilson Ringor, George Avellana, Ricky Simbulan and Ronnie Cayde. Avellana was replaced by Eddie Bonner during the showdown. Marife Cayde, Lani de la Cruz, Beth Danganan, Denden Ponsara, editha Hatcha, Rachel Tismo, Rina Labo, Cely Mendoza, Gladys Acosta, Fe Ricalde, Pat Nave and Linda de Casa were the top 12 in the Women’s Division.
Jun Balubayan bagged the championship trophy of the Top 12 Elite bowlers in the Men’s Division. First runner-up was Rico Feria and the second runner-up was Ricky Simbulan. Rina Labo was the champion in the Women’s Division. The first runner-up was Pat Nave and the second runner-up was Editha ‘so pretty’ Hatcha.
The Most Improved Players were Ronnie Cayde, from an average of 180 to 181.83; and Ian Choco, from an average of 152 to 160.39. Most Valuable Players were Rodel Huidem with an average of 199.49 and Marife Cayde (183.80). Outstanding achievers of the Conference are Rudy Usudan (258), Arnel Garlan (256), Rico Feria (252), Wilson Bacala (255), Arcie Consolacion (256), Rodel Huidem (258), Jun Balubayan (286), Majid Asgari (300) and Boy Fogata (300). The awarding ceremonies for the excellent teams and outstanding bowlers will be on 23 October 2002.
Further details may be obtained from Ellen Balmeo or may check the Al-Khozama Bowling Center Bulletin Board. In a related development, Central Region Supervising Welfare Officer Angel Borja, Jr. of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration in Riyadh has announced that OWWA will host the "Pamaskong Palaro 2002" sports program for vacationing or returning OFWs. The games will be held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila from Dec. 11-13, 2002. Games to be played are bowling (6-men and 6-women), dart (4-men and 4-women), chess (3-Men and 3-Women), table tennis (6-men and 6-women) and lawn tennis (4-men and 4-women).
Interested OFW sportsmen may contact any of the following: Angel Borja, Jr., at 483-2201 or at 053-278029 or Francis M. Maca at 230-0000 extension 224/225 or at 057-863414. Enrique Boy Fogata (bowling) at 052-878640; Ed Valenzuela (Chess) at 477-4480 extension 2028 or at 057-664704. John Damaso (Dart) at 478-5800 extension 567; Leonard Herrera (Table Tennis) at 056-267952; Jimmy Isla (052-489497) or Bernie de Castro (052-920493) for Lawn Tennis.
