DUBAI: With the participation of 30 teams comprising 109 male and 41 female elite bowlers from the Filipino bowling clubs of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah, the one-day, four-game competition hosted by the Sharjah Filipino Bowling Club (SFBC) more than lived up to its expectation of a highly competitive and truly exciting event. The event was recently held at the Dubai International Bowling Centre in Al Mamzar.
In the five-man team competition, the final result was determined only up to the last bowler, in the last frame of the fourth and final game. Meanwhile, in the trios and doubles events, a similar scintillating down-the-wire finish occurred.
In terms of individual achievements, Ms. Ivan Deluvio put up such a dominating performance that she bagged a total of three awards: First Place in the Doubles Event (with Arnel Lituanas), Individual High Series Scratch (831) and Individual High Game Scratch (235). Other individual awards went to Larry Dolor (Male High Game Scratch – 254 pinfalls) and Hashim Guinomla (Male High Series Scratch – 876 pinfalls).
At the end of four games in the team event, SFBC Butch’s team composed of SFBC President Butch Vargas, Mario Rivera, Mark Bumagat, Rey Castillo and Ging Aring grabbed a hard-earned and well-deserved first place and top prize award after a nail-biting final frame between team anchors Butch Vargas and Alvin Alviano of the Abu Dhabi Filipino Bowling Club (ADFBC) Basketbowlers. Composed of ace bowlers Dindo Fernando, Gene Ornejas, Alvin Alviano, Arnel Digap and Ems Prestousa, Alvin’s missed spare conversion in the last frame was a heart-breaking finish, which could have given them the championship crown. Instead, the ADFBC Basketbowlers (3.879 pinfalls) had to settle for second place behind the SFBC Butch’s Team (3,895 pinfalls). Coming in at third place of the team event was the Ballantine’s Team (3,870 pinfalls) composed of Mario Magdaluyo, Marivic Alfaro, Ricky Reyes, Myra Aviles and Jay-R Yjares.
In the trios event, however, the triumvirate Gene Ornejas, Alvian Alviano and Dindo Fernando from of ADFBC basketbowlers grabbed first place (2,464 pinfalls). In second place was the Dubai Duty Free trios team (2,441 pinfalls) composed of Alek Maculada, Sigfred “Red” Cortez and Mike Vargas. This time, SFBC Butch’s Team trios team (2,426) composed of Butch Vargas, Rey Castillo and Mark Bumagat had to settle for third place.
In the doubles event, the Dabarkads Daivan Team composed of Arnel Lituanas and Ms. Ivan Deluvio took first place (1,652 pinfalls), followed by the pair of Dindo Fernando and Gene Ornejas from ADFBC Basketbowlers (1,637). Third place went to the Ballantine’s doubles team of Mario Magdaluyo and Marivic Alfaro (1,611).
“This was indeed a hugely successful event and it would not have been possible without the support and participation of all the teams and individual bowlers from different Filipino bowling clubs, as well as the tireless SFBC officers and event organisers,” said SFBC President Butch Vargas. “It was even made more fun, exciting and memorable with the support of our sponsors. Thank you!
“This goes to show that the Filipino community is really growing and united, especially on an activity with a shared passion and interest,” he added. “Congratulations to all the winners and see you all again in the next SFBC Invitational Tournament.”
