WHILE there are still many people who bowl as a leisure sport, there are still those who are actively competitive.
This past weekend, several of Guam's hardcore senior bowlers took their experience and skills to the Central Lanes Bowling Center for the Senior Bowler of the Lanes monthly tournament.
After making his way to the finals and perhaps using the tournament as a preparation for competition in Malaysia, Nestor Valencia rolled his way past Mary Pangelinan 239-183 (with handicap) to capture his second title of the year.
The six-game qualifiers ended with Valencia taking the top spot with a 1368-pin fall count with handicap averaging 211. The shootout rounds opened with 8th-seeded Buddy Saludo defeating 9th-seeded Roque Mendiola and 10th seed Ruben Torres. In the second bracket, 7th-seeded Jim Pinaula took the win over 5th seed Rudy Palaganas and 6th seed Jhun Viray.
In the second round, 3rd seed newcomer Mike Macam stopped Saludo 210-177 with handicap. Fourth-seeded Zaldy Ponce ended Pinaula's quest to advance with a 211-144 beating. The semifinals were nailbiters as Pangelinan drew a narrow 202-198 victory while Valencia nipped Ponce 186-179 setting up the final match.
The lane conditions for the finals suited Valencia as he used consistent scoring and a couple of missed frames by Pangelinan to secure his second trophy and $100 monetary prize as a bonus for his efforts.
The next monthly tournament will be held 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 21 at Central Lanes. This event is open to all bowlers aged 50 or will be 50 by Dec. 31 of this year.
