RIYADH — Brian Magdaraong from Al-Khobar and Rachel Tismo from Riyadh reigned supreme in the recent Ramadan Friendship Games, an annual bowling event hosted and organized by the Unified Filipino Tenpin Bowlers of Riyadh (UFTBR) at the Universal Bowling Center (UBC) here. Magdaraong bagged the most coveted Masters Event crown in the men's division beating fellow Al-Khobar bowler Romeo Herrera (first runner-up) in the final game.
Other winners in the men's division were Mike Ecalnir and Bembol Velasco (second runner-up) and Ronald Cruz, Ernee Noto, Marco Torres and Dong Yamco (third runners-up). Tismo captured the Masters plum in the ladies division with a win over surprise finalist Rina Labo (first runner-up). Other ladies winners were Irene Pua and Ghnet Cerbito (second runners-up). Both Masters event winners received round trip tickets to Manila, courtesy of the event main sponsor Philippine Airlines (PAL). The tickets were personally awarded by PAL Country Manager Ricky Solomon L. Pacquing. Riyadh Team One, composed of Noto, Stephen Solomon, Ronald Bautista and Andro Tismo won in the men's team event with Riyadh Team Four second (Ismael Viloria, Jojo Gabriel, Marvin Arocena and Rico Feria), Riyadh Team Two third (Joe Garrido, Celis Viloria, Edwin Atienza and Joel Batolina), Riyadh Team Six fourth (Nap Torres, Ecalnir, CheChe Villanueva and Larry Tejero) and Jeddah Team One fifth (Randy Mata, Ding Dela Rosa, Roger Daguioag and Igna Salgado). Jeddah Ladies Team One (Cerbito, May Tumbagahon, Marie Gumpal and Lou Punzalan) bagged the ladies team event with Riyadh Ladies Team Three at second (Cely Mendoza, Edith Hatcha, Tess Paciano and Labo) and Team We Are In at third (Ian Choco, Fe Agbisit, Jenny Ventura and Melay Valencia). In the men's Doubles Event, the tandem of Torres and Ecalnir (Riyadh Team Six) won with Butch Mateo and Butch Espinosa (Striking Distance) at second and Fer Deloberjes and Greg Layese (Al-Khobar Team Two) at third. The pair of Cerbito and Tumbagahon (Jeddah Ladies One) bagged the ladies' doubles crown with Tismo and Lani Dela Cruz (Nayong Pilipino) at second and Haidee Urbano and Irene Aril (Riyadh Ladies Two) at third. Ferdie Dela Rosa (Striking Distance) ruled the Men's Singles with Marco Torres (XXXL) at second and Arnold Jesena (We Are In 2) at third. The ladies contingent from Jeddah dominated the ladies singles event with Punzalan (champion), Thess Grandia (second) and Marie Gumpal (third). Randy Mata from Jeddah captured the All Events crown men's division with Ecalnir and Torres at second and third respectively. Punzalan also from Jeddah was the ladies All Events winner with Tumbagahon (second) and Tismo third. In all 34 teams played in the event and Noto (UFTBR Chairman) and Cesar De Mesa (Event Chairman) thanked all bowlers especially the delegations from Jeddah and Al-Khobar for their participation and support. Regardless of the intense competition in the two-day event, friendship, fun and camaraderie among bowlers, families and friends provided the glitter. UFTBR also thanked all the event sponsors — Philippine Airlines, Al-Marai, LUNA and Gandour.
