AFTER two years of trying, unheralded Uree Uy at last crowned himself champion in the Datba weekly qualifying bowling tournament last Saturday at the SM Lanang Premier Bowling Center.

"I was really happy to know that after two years of bowling, I was able to improve," the 14-year-old student of the Ateneo de Davao University, who will advance to the monthly finals, said.

He rolled a total of 689 pinfalls in the three-game eliminations organized by the Davao Tenpin Bowlers Association.

He shared having to control his emotions. "I focused on the game," he said, beating Absalon "Rommy" Serrano and Moi Nierra, who occupied the next two places.

Serrano toppled 655 pins while Nierra scored 618.

Uy shared that he has never won a single tournament since he started playing bowling in 2016.

Thus, the feat was his first victory of his amateur bowling career.

"I will try to deal with the pressure caused by the strong bowlers. I will have to focus and keep taking advices from the Datba community," Uy added.

He received P1,000 while Serrano and Nierra went home with P800 and P500, respectively.