AFTER several runner-up finishes, Jesrael Rule at last crowned himself champion in the Datba February 2019 Monthly Finals tournament held recently at the SM Lanang Premier Center.

Rule, who grabbed the first spot after the six-game qualifying round, bounced back from a first game loss by beating John Tamondong, 267-191, in the championship match of the step-the-ladder round. Tamondong first edged twice-to-beat Rule, 197-196, in the first game. The latter took the runner-up honors instead.

"Never thought I would make it in the top 4 (actually top seed) after scoring 92 in my second game. Yes tama imong nabasa 92! Haha. Maayu nalang kalmado akong coach Ulene C. Pondoc-Rule. (You read it right 92! It's just well that mycoach Ulene C. Pondoc-Rule was calm). But bowled well in championship match. Nakabawi. Thats bowling. Sa wakas naputol na ang sumpa na`Always 1st runner-up sa monthly finals'," he posted on his Facebook account.

In earlier matches of the step-the-ladder round, No. 2 qualifier Tamondong, who garnered 1,156 pinfalls in the eliminations, defeated No. 4 Celso Garcia, Jr., 246-186. Garcia upset No. 3 Ronald Martin, 147-132.

Martin rolled 1,135 pins while Garcia scored 1,126.

The 32-year-old Rule, an architect by profession, pocketed P10,000 while Tamondong, Garcia and Martin received P4,000, P2,000 and P1,000, respectively. Rule also copped the highest single title in the final with 224 pinfalls while Gab Velasco clinched the highest singles qualifying title with 266.

Martin's 685 earned him the top qualifier trophy.

Meanwhile, Kert Palces topped Tuesday evening's weekly qualifying tournament. Datba also opened its five-day 14th Araw ng Dabaw NBT Open yesterday.