JEDDAH — Bobby Baraquel was widely left by Edris Mangoda on Game 1 but enabled to recover on Game 2 to consequently take the title, while Aileen Miralbuna was favored by as much as five marks over Aisah Silabay as she won the women's crown at the Kalayaan Cup, conducted by Filipino Expatriate Damayan Bowling Group and supported by Orient Provision Trading Company through Brand Manager Robert Bato at the Bowling City here. Qualified last among the class B, topped by Edu Toledo, Baraquel with 215 outlasted Arnel Digap who challenged with 204 on 1-game 4-bowler shootout. Ruel Santoc and Ernie Geslani put up less risk at 160 each. The sojourn almost ended against Toledo, but Baraquel was luckily saved by the former's miss to be the class B leader at 172-165 to face Roger Daquioag, Edward Botardo and Mangoda on the finals. Daquioag won over Joel Nidoy (221-196), Botardo triumphed over Class C top qualifier Jimmy Mandingiado at 202-182 and Mangoda halted Med Ramos at 173-167. Initial game of the 2-game finals was real spectacle for Mangoda, who, with 236 look down to Baraquel Daquioag and Botardo on their 217, 183 and 172 contention. Known to be perceptive bowler, Baraquel traded marks with Mangoda and Daquioag till he was able to suppress the trading with six baggers. Such fantastic offense made Baraquel the new Kalayaan Cup champion in 2-game series of 458 including his endgame of 241. Mangoda's 217 safeguard gave him second place at 453, while Daquioag (210 on the last game) and Botardo settled third and fourth with 393 and 369 respectively. Seeded to finals Miralbuna (825) and May Lourdes (849) faced Aisah Silabay and Shirley Sagmit, who respectively outlasted class AB's Sally Sa?osa, Ester Santoc and Cora Agas and class CD Mariz Resano, Christine Esperancilla and Grace Funtilon on 1-game shootout. Miralbuna then made a gigantic lead with her 232 humbling the 201, 189 and 173 of Silabay, Sagmit and Lourdes. But errors and horrible shots were eating up Miralbuna's lead on the vehement challenge of Sagmit till the ninth frame of the ultimate. Thanks to the last-frame mark, Miralbuna escaped by four pins at 386-382 to be the FEDBG Kalayaan Cup women's champion on her 154 endgame survival making Sagmit the first runner-up in that comparison. Silabay and Lourdes cleared up third and fourth with 378 and 358 respectively. All winners received packs of Makati Food from Robert Bato.
