AT 85 years old, Bebie Mauro - fondly known as Nanay Bebie — proved that experience can still outshine youth as she captured the Bowler of the Week title in the Sugbuanon Bowlers United (SugBU) Shootout Tournament last Sunday, April 20, 2025, at the SM Seaside City Cebu Bowling Center.
Competing in Division C, the tournament’s lowest tier, Mauro stunned the field by scoring 185 pinfalls in the final shootout, finishing just two points ahead of Division B champion Celis Viloria (183) and outscoring Division A top seed Nestor Ranido (169).
In the qualifying rounds, Ranido led Division A with a strong 872 pinfalls, beating Aui Padawan (856) and Heber Alqueza (830).
Meanwhile, Viloria dominated Division B with 771 pinfalls, surpassing Mel Fines’ score of 733 and Vivian Padawan’s score of 721.
But it was Mauro who took the spotlight in Division C, topping the leaderboard with 755 pinfalls, ahead of Orly Enoveso (661) and Romy Mauro (655).
The finals ended in dramatic fashion, with Nanay Bebie needing to convert a tough split in the final frame to win — and under pressure, she delivered, securing her place as the week’s champion.
At 85, Bebie Mauro isn’t just competing but making history one frame at a time, leaving the crowd in awe and inspiring everyone watching, as one spectator remarked that even with age, she’s still got it. / GLENN C. TAN
