BROTHERS John Paul and Nikko Go may have lost the International Mixed Bowling League but the siblings got a bigger prize: win big in a national competition.
The younger, John Paul, rolled 2,347 pinfalls in 12 games for a 195.59 pinfalls average to win the Associate Masters crown of the Philippine Bowling Federation National Championship at the Coronado Lanes of Starmall in EDSA here last Sunday.
The younger son of local bowling great Peter, had to say goodbye to another title retention bid in the IMBL when they lost to cellar dweller Mixed Nuts three days earlier when Nikko was about to see action in the graded masters.
“Goodbye for now. Manila muna kami ni bro (Nikko),” he told his team mates and fellow IMBL bowlers after their defeat to Mixed Nuts dashing Le Clutch’s bid for another title after falling to third spot after the three weeks eliminations.
Instead, Pugo Adventure took the top spot by beating erstwhile leader Smiley, 16-8, as the two arrange a finals showdown this Thursday.
The Customer Service Associate at Bank of Philippine Islands beat first runner up Ramil Bonus by more than 100 pins as the latter made 2,240 pinfalls, while Art Roxas rolled 2147 to take third place. The fourth to eighth placers are: Art Barrientos (2,126), Alvin Cuevas (2,112), Karl Terceal (2,075), Jackson Co (2,072) and Rod Agustin (2,028).
For the win, John Paul received P40,000 in cash prize along with a trophy presented by bowling legend Bong Coo.
Nikko, on the other hand, placed second runner up in the Men’s Graded competition and received P12,500 and a trophy from the two time world champion Coo. He played Saturday and missed the Thursday game.
The PBF is the recognized ten pin bowling association recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee and International Olympic Committee. Sen. Tito Sotto chairs to group, with Stephen Hontiveros as president. Bowling legend Paeng Nepomuceno leads the coaching staff of the Philippine bowling team. (PML)