Wednesday, January 14, 2009 Gerco widens lead in mixed bowling
GERCO continued its dominance despite the rust setting in as it cruised in a free ride win Thursday evening in the International Mixed Bowling League.
Gerco had a lopsided win as Kiwanis came in with just two men to take a commanding 21 points lead in the bowling tournament with just four weeks remaining in the 30-week competition.
It scored 19 of a possible 24 points as the absence of three men would mean default for the opposing team for a commanding 287.75 win points lead.
Five Gerco members failed to meet their average less 15 pinfalls at least once for the team's only losses. Nikko Go failed to beat the mark on the first game, Mike Casuga on the second and Tony Salcedo.
Doris Santiago and Cheeno Loy were unable to make their marks in the last game for the team's 19 points as games commenced again right after the long three weeks Christmas break.
"We're just happy to be back and we played rather well (and) lucky though each of us failed to beat our averages at least once," said Santiago of the league leading team, which is on the right track of successfully defending its title.
Santiago is set to face the second ranked Mixed Nuts on Thursday in what could be a preview of the championship which is expected to take place on February 12 where the top two teams, after the 30-week, two round rotation will be over, are set to meet for the position night.
Mixed Nuts won 15-9 against the Wild Cards to remain at second spot with 266.5 won points and the meeting next week will surely bolster the chances of this Cinderella team that has been making a romp in the league despite being the virtual underdog.
This conference, the team has been getting high numbers from the fired up Charlie Haber as well as Homer Manansala and Ed Narvaez, while lady player Leah Torres could come out with the needed points.
The standing for the top six teams virtually remained unchanged with Cross Stitch at third spot followed by Budget Savers and Pretty Pink Panthers. The last got a big relief when its December 11 opponent, the Wild Cards acceded to forego their 22-point effort and scores to be matched during the January 8 game of the Panthers against the erstwhile fourth ranked Budget Savers which they beat 16-8.
With the big numbers of Joseph Tan, 204, 190 and 237, as well as the support coming from Marice de Guzman, Boy Retuya and Jun Rialubin, the Panthers are expected to gain more points which will see them ahead of the Savers which escaped with a 14-10 win over Mixed Nuts last December 11. (Roderick Osis)
