JEDDAH — Rudy Valenzuela showed hard work bears fruit as he clinched the men's title, while Ester Santoc bounced back to claim the ladies' crown at the Filipino Expatriate Damayan Bowling Group No Tap 9 bowling tournament here recently. Ranked No. 12 in the qualifying round wherein Zaldy Bacero (4,255) and Oca Bernabe (4,172) went direct to finals, Valenzuela was third with 989 behind Dariel Loquias (1,057) and Rolly Vistal (990) in the Group OAB semifinals. Valenzuela is now also up against the Group CDE finalists with Frank Afurong and Richard Antonio who were seeded with 4,100 and 4,069, respectively. Edris Mangoda topped the semifinals with 1,076, while Pip R. Planas and Med Ramos finished second and third with 965 and 947. With 300 and 297, top favorite Bacero dominated two-thirds of the match with 597. Valenzuela was right behind with 574 capitalizing his 4-pin hpg with 266 and 300. Bernabe was five marks away with 526. But on the homestretch of ultimate Valenzuela saw his chance when Bacero got whipped with a split to score 222. With another 266 the patient and cool quality bowler Valenzuela got paid off with 844 handicapped series to be the consequential men's champion. Pushing his way to be bridesmaid was Bernabe with a handicapped series of 830 with a 300 endgame. Such big turnout settled Bacero to third place with 819 scratch series, Vistal ranked fourth with 775 and Mangoda, who tied Antonio at 746, salvaged last berth on 22-34 rule of consistency. Other male semifinalists were Tom Langa, Bas Langa, Edward Botardo, Jun de Dios, Nards Hassan, Ver Jasa, Ross Isabiniano, Jowet Carreon and Serge Rivera in CDE. Ruel Santoc, Marcelo Manalo, Tito Cruz, Bobby Baraquel, Jimmy Aragones, Ruben Gri?o and Rene Martinez made it to the semis in OAB. On the ladies' side, Ailen Miralbuna startled other finalists with her 278. Ester Santoc kept her in her sights with 254. Cheryl Tibay, Fatima Jintarat and Grace Funtilon were on their tails as well. As Miralbuna got hobbled with splits sliding to second with 450, Santoc seized top spot with 481 and 227. Funtilon was third with 429 on her 223 pursuit. Seeing favorite Jintarat mounting a rally and Miralbuna regaining strength, Santoc tried parrying frame by frame. The moves consummated her goal when she finished with 660 to claim the ladies crown. Jintarat was second with 645, Funtilon third with 640, while Miralbuna and Tibay dwelled the last two berths. Other semifinalists were Mariz Resano, Letty Mendoza, Sally Sa?osa, Eva Garcia and Alma Bacero.
