ELIMINATION round leader Ivan Awid kept his luck in the finals to pocket the Datba January monthly finals tournament title at SM Lanang Premier Bowling Center over the weekend.
Twice-to-beat Awid rolled past Paul Palacio, 202-182, in the step-the-ladder finals to take home the P10,000 champion's cash prize, while the latter settled for the runner-up prize of P5,000.
Awid, who had a handicap of 20, led the six-game eliminations by hitting a total of 1,274 pinfalls, while Palacio (30) rolled 1,198 pins to place second followed by Kert Palces (1,188) third and Art Galendez (1,182) fourth.
In the step-the-ladder, No. 3 Palces toppled No. 4 Galendez, 197-179. But Palces fell at the hands of No. 2 Palacio who defeated him, 187-168.
Thus, Palacio earned the right to challenge twice to beat Awid.
A weekly qualifying tournament was set Tuesday, February 4, at the same venue.