By EARL WRIGHT

JEDDAH — Crime Busters grabbed the opening-week honors as the OFBC (Overseas Filipino Bowlers Club) swung back into action for its Friday Afternoon League Season 9 that has attracted 10 teams from eight in Season 8 at the Iceland Bowling Center here.

In a strong start to the new season Crime Busters, co-captained by Randy del Remedios and Samuel Tesfai, trotted out the top tally of 37 points to become the Team of the Week. Their total is just 3 points shy of the perfect 40 points in the five-man team league event.

Spareshots had their share of the spotlight after they swept the individual awards, courtesy of Sergio Modar and Carmen Duma, who emerged as the men’s and ladies Bowler of the Week on 576 and 536, respectively.

As a team, Spareshots finished second to Crime Busters on 34 points with SGH Bowling Group coming in at third on the day with a total of 31 points in an encouraging start.

Defending champion Casadores II opened defense of its title by compiling 29 points ahead of NC Bowlers (24 points) and Season 7 titlist RTJ Baguio Transient House 23 points.

Spare Busters and D’Splinters were tied on 14 points with Forever Living on 10 and Forever Living Dynamics on 4 points.

Lito De los Reyes shot 559 at the helm of Season 8 first runner-up Crime Busters who also drew contributions of 544 from Tesfai, 535 from Remedios, 530 from Ryan Latigo and 472 from Mildred Tolentino.

Team captain Alex Duma tossed in 564 to back up Modar and his wife Carmen at Spareshots with Edwin Agustin sharing 521 and Cecile Entag 392.

The SGH team of Dan Mojares and Usop P. Abinal drew the top score of 526 from Shaid Salvador. Imelda Flores added 512, Abinal tallied 445, Joehel del Rosario made 410 while Gamal Matanog and Sheila Monserate carded 211-212 and 185.

Ed Cordova’s Casadores II had Tope Sayson at the top of the scoring ladder on 574 and followed by Cordova himself 512, Edilberto Labuac 501, Narciso Carandang 476 and Fatima Jintarat 411.

Over at NC Bowlers, captained by Nap Patayan, Aisah Silabay came through with the leading score of 508. Nap was a pin short of the 500-series mark at 499. Gary Raymundo made 487 that went with the 479 by Imelda Sayago and 466 by Susan Patyan.

Baguio Transient House captained by Joel Nidoy and managed by Rudy Jamon got a boost from the duo of Cesar Pagtalunan and Darlene Bulalayao who drilled 520 and 506. The other scorers were Rico Bulalayao 498, Jack Jrin 470 and Jojo Esperanzate 433.

Elsewhere, Spare Busters, co-captained by Jaime Fores and Demet Velasquez, got the big numbers from the duo of Marlon Peralta 493 and Flores 481, with help from Carol Rio 472, Jason Quiambao 400 and Cyril Yumul 383.

Jhun Ejanda at 500 was the main man at D’Splinters of Imelda Flores and Amy Mercado.

Sara Atienza’s Forever Living has returned with Forever Living Dynamics in tow. At the forefront of Forever Living was the trio of Jo Hipa 472, Teresa Hanopol452 and Billie Ramos 421. Nolie De Leon led Dynamics on 504 with Vicky Juayno on 462 and Andrew Ociones on 424.

Team standings (Week 1):

1. Crime Busters 37.0 points, 2. Spareshots 34, 3. SGH Bowling Group 31, 4. Casadores II 29, 5. NC Bowlers 24, 6. RTJ Baguio Transient House 23, 7. Spare Busters 14, 8. D’ Splinters 14, 9. Forever Living 10, 10. Forever Living Dynamics 4.