BOWLERS across the country and some players from Southeast Asia are expected to be in Cebu for the 1st Cebu International Invitational Tenpin Bowling Championships 2019 on June 6 to 16 at the SM City Cebu Bowling Center and the SM Seaside Bowling and Leisure Center.
“This is the first time that Cebu will host an international bowling event. Our main goal is to bring the international competition in Cebu and not just limit the hosting to Manila,” said head organizer Eric Bucoy in the Scoop Forum at the SM City Cebu on Thursday, May 30.
Bucoy, who is also the president of the Cebu Tenpin Bowling Association (Cetba), said around 150 to 200 players from Manila have confirmed to join the event. He added some Asian participants already signified their intention to play.
“We think it’s about time that Cebu hosted an international event. The place is ideal because it’s in the center of the country, and the players from Luzon and Mindanao have good access here,” he said.
At stake in the event are titles in the Open Masters, Graded Masters, Associate Masters, Senior Masters, Rookie Masters, Ladies Masters, Youth Masters and Junior Masters.
Bucoy said this tournament is one of the ways to promote bowling in other regions outside of the country’s capital.
“After Cebu, we are looking to bring this to Davao. The long-term goal is to make this an annual event here,” he said. “It’s the first time for Cebu, so we’re asking for everyone’s support.”
The Open Masters champion will win P500,000, while the second and third placers will get P200,000 and P100,000, respectively. The fourth to 12th placers will also receive cash prizes.
The top three in the Graded Masters will receive P200,000, P100,000 and P50,000, while the prizes are P100,000, P50,000 and P25,000 for the podium finishers in the Association Masters.
The Seniors Master champion will win P150,000, the Rookie Masters champion will receive P50,000, the Ladies Masters champion will get P80,000, while the Youth Masters and Junior Masters winners will bag P40,000 and P30,000, respectively.
“We don’t have high expectations but the fact that we are able to hold this in Cebu, that already is something for us. We have started an international event and hopefully it will continue for years,” said Bucoy.
He said that the organizing team has already sent an invitation letter to Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez and Commissioner Ramon Fernandez. (RSC)