IN A field of veterans, including national team pintopplers, 16-year-old Joseph "JV" Flores pulled off a surprise by placing third in the mixed open division of the recently-concluded 1st Metba-Davao Kadayawan Open Tenpin Bowling Championships held at SM Lanang Premier Bowling Center in Davao City.
Flores rolled a total of 1,552 pinfalls in the elimination game to place second behind national team bowler Merwin Tan who toppled 1,621 pinfalls. The latter grabbed the top post and the twice-to-beat advantage going into the step-the-ladder finals.
Sletba's Jun De Guzman (1,549) was third, national team player Norel Nuevo (1,525) fourth and Acbi-Prima of Cebu's Manuel Nierra II (1,518) fifth.
In the step-the-ladder, No. 5 Nierra struck for 201 pinfalls in the first shootout. He bested No. 4 Nuervo (158) and No. 3 De Guzman (170) to arrange a showdown with No. 2 Flores in the second shootout. But Flores, lost this one, bowing to Nierra, 166-188.
Nierra, thus, set up a titular clash against top qualifier Tan, who is the reigning Asian youth champion and the Philippine International 2019 Open champion.
The latter leaned on his vast experience by outclassing the former, 216-160, to secure the champion's trophy and the P60,000 cash prize.
Runner-up Nierra received P30,000 while third placer Flores pocketed P15,000.
Six-time world champion Rafael "Paeng" Nepomuceno bagged the highest single scratch game by hitting 265 pinfalls.
In the mixed youth division, Tan emerged champion to claim P15,000 over next seventh placers Nuevo (P8,000), Andrea Alvizo of STAI Bacolod-Prima (P4,000), Flores (P2,000), Metba-Davao's Uree Uy (P1,000), Ma. Vivienne "Yeyen" Flores of Metba-Davao, Maverick Manuel and JJ Besa of STAI Bacolod-Prima.
Metba-Davao's Al Langkuno, Cesar Delfin and Rene Dalayon grabbed the first three places in mixed senior divisions. De Guzman was fourth, Rene Zabat of Metba-Davao fifth, Nepomuceno sixth, Sunny Tankit of STAI Bacolod seventh and Jun Morales of Metba-Davao eighth. They also received cash prizes.
The bowlfest, which drew some 80 participants in the country, was sanctioned by the Philippine Bowling Federation (PBF). PBF Trustee and Treasurer Alexander Lim graced the event while Paeng Nepomuceno delivered an inspirational message.
Davao City Councilor Jaffar Marohomsalic gave the message of Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio, while Undersecretary Atty. Jo-Ann Burgos represented Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles.
Metba Davao president lawyer Joseph Flores said, "The tournament was a huge success and we promise a bigger one next year."