DAVAO City bowler Ulene Rule clinched the December title of the Datba Monthly Finals Tournament at SM Lanang Bowling Center on Saturday, December 28, 2024.
With a 24-pin handicap, Rule hit 1,187 pinfalls during the six-game qualifying round, securing a twice-to-beat advantage in the championship round. Her husband, Jesrael Rule, placed second with 1,173 pinfalls despite a zero handicap. Edwin Grasparil, carrying a 30-pin handicap, finished third with 1,152 pinfalls, while Kim Salvador, with a 17-pin handicap, landed in fourth, also with 1,187 pinfalls.
In the shootout game, Grasparil outplayed Salvador, who scored 186, and Jesrael, who tallied 129, with a score of 188. This earned him a chance to challenge Ulene Rule for the crown. However, Rule sealed her victory in a single game, defeating Grasparil 203-195 in their championship match.
The Davao Tenpin Bowlers Association (Datba) rewarded the top four bowlers with cash prizes. Rule took home ₱7,000 and a trophy for her championship win, while Grasparil received ₱5,000 and a medal as the runner-up. Jesrael Rule, who recently claimed the Datba Bowler of the Year award, earned ₱3,000 and a medal for finishing third, and Salvador secured ₱2,000 and a medal for fourth place.
With her victory, Ulene Rule advances to the Tournament of Champions (ToC) in January 2025. She will join monthly champions Marc Fernandez (January), Benz Palacio (February), Kim Salvador (March), Rod Tongo (April), Gab Velasco (May), Joshua Disuacido (June), Mav Manuel (July), Emz Salvador (August), Paul Palacio (September), Crystal Chavez (October), and Kath Lee (November). Desperados Champion Art Galendez and qualifiers Edmund Cambaliza and Jovy Uyanguren will also compete in the prestigious event. MLSA
