JEDDAH. With four-game scratch series of 936 in the elimination and 489 in the two-game finals, Randy Mata clinched the men’s title while Malou Nidoy struggled on the outset then sizzled in the last three games to bag the ladies crown of the Filipino Expatriate Damayan Group February Bowlers Quest at the Bowling City here.
Perfect game achiever Mata topped the OA group qualifying with games of 214, 232, 236 and 254 to become the waiting finalist as his likely challengers namely Ed Sardiña, Rommel Marsigan, Rudy Punzalan and Nap Patayan slugged it out. The four advanced to semis with respective series of 881, 843, 826 and 818. At the conclusion of the semifinals, Punzalan beat his rivals with 250 and earned the right to challenge Mata.
Waiting finalists in the other classes were Class B Dennis Alvarado (823), Class C Voi Ycong (869) and Class D Rolly Vistal (794) who were separately challenged by Archie Santos, Johnny Macalintal and Paolo Allego. Battle for the class championship featured two games with handicap. Despite a break of one game, Mata defeated Punzalan at 495-379; Alvarado survived Santos 422-349; Ycong was not so lucky and got walloped by Macalintal at 381-336 while Vistal blasted Allego at 387-301.
In the 2-game finals, Alvarado bowled well in game 1 with 232 to stay close to Mata, who dazzled anew with 246. As Mata continued to entertain the audience with his perfect pocket shots Alvarado seemed to be troubled making it easy for Randy to take the February men’s title with 489 total including 243 end game. Alvarado settled for second runner-up at 414, Vistal claimed third place at 405 and Macalintal fourth at 391.
On the ladies side, Nidoy was in 12th place after the first game with Sally Sañosa (221), Minda Guevarra (217), Susan Patayan (212) and Christine Esperancilla (208) claiming the top four spots. Nidoy climbed to third spot at 387 behind a 215 second-game drive.
Guevarra momentarily held the top with 399, Nurissa Ramos appeared on second place with 396 and Patayan fourth with 381. Bettering her third game at 224, Nidoy pulled over to top position with 611 as Sañosa got back into contention at second with 569. Patayan and Ramos followed on 563 and 559.
The last game was furiously fought with known fighter Fatima Jintarat, in ninth place after three games, making a charge. But Nidoy was not to be denied as she took home the ladies crown with a total of 841 including her 230 end game. Jintarat’s patience rewarded her with second place at 769. Patayan was third on 762 and Sañosa fourth on 751.
