By EARL WRIGHT
JEDDAH — The stage is set for the knockout stages with JP Gilas IV, Dabarkads, Crime Buster and FGS Bowlers completing the seven-team stepladder championship round in the FTBJ-ICBL 39th Conference bowling tournament at the Sultanah Mall’s Bowling City on Tahlia Street here.
The four qualified teams after the knockout of three games with handicap series joined No. 1 The Synergy International, No. 2 Lance & 3rdy and No. 3 Ekis Reload-4 into the next round to vie for the major prizes in the five-man team Friday afternoon league event organized by the Filipino Tenpin Bowlers of Jeddah.
JP Gilas ranked No. 4 with a top tally of 3,055 followed by Dabarkads at No. 5 on 2,986, Crime Buster at No. 6 on 2,981 and FGS Bowlers at No. 7 on 2,924 pinfalls.
The first match of the stepladder will feature teams on Nos. 4, 5, 6 and 7 in a knockout of two games series with handicap with the winner to play the second match against No. 3 Ekis Reload-5.
The second match winner then faces off with No. 2 Lance & 3rdy for the right the challenge TSI in a twice to beat format championship match.
Eliminated from further play in the tournament were Bowling City, which was way short of No. 4 on 2,877 pinfalls, Cash Pinas-Fawri 2,820, Mixed Nuts 2,793 and Jeraisah 2,711.
A pair of 628s from Lourdes Punzalan and Paolo Allego helped Gilas put the lock on No. 4, while also getting valuable contribution of 585 from Eric Coloma and 572 from Jeanette Cerbito. Rene Punzalan shared 191-220 and Rand Mata 211.
Over at Dabarkads Dan Ednabe and Cheryl Tibay owned the the top scores of 623 and 611 to go with the 559 by Thess Grandia, 181-149 by Manny Tibay, 200-194 by Bing Amolo and 202-185 by Leo Edejer.
Crime Buster likewise benefitted from a pair of 600-series from Jimmy Urbano 640 and Jaime Reynoso 610. Gail Mata was just a few pins short on 591 with Luz Pagaran on 584. Lito Villanca had 183-177 and Lito Zamudio added 158.
Kemo Felemban paced FGS ON 635, the high series on the day, while Pinky Acato backed up Felemban on 609. The other scorers were Ed Botardo 576, Charrie Guzman 499, Amro Al Amri 226-193 and Nap Patayan 187.
