KUWAIT CITY, Nov 19: In the last event of the 2010 PBAK (Philippine Bowling Association in Kuwait) tenpin bowling season, Troels Schmidt of Germany and Mishaal Al Roomi of Kuwait reigned supreme in the semifinal and final round to clinch the coveted title in Group 1 and 2 respectively. Grabbing the runner positions in Group 1 were Rudy Zablan, Yaqoub Al Shatti, Mike Garcia and Fahad Abul with Noel Bejar, Ibrahim Dubayan, Nayef Selaily, Eddie Pena and Farid Gabriel doing the same in Group 2.
After the 3-week qualifying round, the Top 16 contenders in Group 1 and the Top 24 (20+4 female bowlers) Group 2 qualifiers based on their 5 best 2-game series scores moved on to the 8-game series semifinal round. At the end of the semis, the Top 5 in Group 1 and Top 6 in Group 2 then vied for their respective titles via the step ladder format finals. Emerging as Top qualifier in Group 1 was Mishari Fadhly who submitted a total 10-game series score of 2374 pin falls from his best sets of 507, 498, 467, 424 and 408. Also advancing to the semifinals were Abdulatef Omairi-2374, Fadel Qassem-2306, Mike Garcia-2282, Yaqoub Al Shatti-2253, Troels Schmidt-2231, Ayad Al Amiri-2208, Fahad Ragheeb-2179, Chris Bulacja-2177, Fahad Abul-2176, Rudy zablan-2146, Mousa Abdullah-2143, Romy Fermil-2143, Bong Bermillo-2142 and Kiko Andaya-2141. Booking the High Game Award of the group was Fahad Ragheeb who missed scoring a perfect game by just one pin when he rolled a 299.

A perfect start in the semis gave Rudy Zablan the early lead as he carded 472 (247, 225) pin falls in the first 2-game block. The other pace setters at this point were Kiko Andaya-441, Bong Bermillo-440, Chris Bulacja-429, Meshari Fadhli-426 and Mike Garcia-423. In the next block Chris Bulacja (876) took over the driver’s seat after rolling 212 and 235 in games 3 and 4. Erstwhile leader Rudy was not far behind in second with 864 followed by Mike Garcia (858), Kiko Andaya (831), Yaqoub Al Shatti (795) and Fahad Ragheeb (783). As the field crosses the halfway mark of the round, Rudy Zablan (1088) who bowled a 224 in game 5 made a trip back to the top of the leader board displacing Chris Bulacja who slipped back to second with his 876 5-game series score. Even as the performance of the other contenders picked up in game 6, Rudy Zablan (1290) remained on top followed now by Mike Garcia (1240) and the fading Chris Bulacja (1220). Fahad Abul (1218), Troels Schmidt (1215) and Ayad Al Amiri (1197) moved into contention after garnering 231, 246 and 247 pin falls respectively.In the penultimate, Rudy Zablan (1522) literally clinched the twice to beat top finalist post when his 232 game 7 score put him seven marks clear of his closest rival Troels Schmidt (1448) and with just one game left to bowl the quest for the other finals berth remained to be a close contest between Mike Garcia (1441), Yaqoub Al Shatti (1426), Fahad Abul (1415), Chris Bulacja (1415), Kiko Andaya (1399) and Ayad Al Amiri (1380).

As expected Rudy Zablan with a total score of 1712 pin falls clinched the number one position and joining him in the step ladder finals were Yaqoub Al Shatti (1670), Troels Schmidt (1662), Mike Garcia (1621) and Fahad Abul (1586). With a freshly conditioned lane Troels Schmidt, Mike Garcia and Fahad Abul returned for the first match of the finals. Getting the needed breaks, Schmidt (205) showed Garcia (181) and Abul (180) the way out. Schmidt then earned his shot at the title with a 214-166 walk in the park win over Yaqoub Al Shatti. Needing to beat Rudy Zablan twice to win the title Schmidt forged a deciding game after his convincing 209-187 victory in game one of the championship match. In the deciding game, the two finalists struggled to find their marks but towards the end Troels Schmidt was able to make the adjustments he need to beat Rudy Zablan one more time 170-156 and go home with the championship trophy and the top prize at stake.

Looking back at the Group 2 qualifying round, Noel Bejar was already a winner even before returning for the semifinal round. Aside from pocketing the High Game award for his 266 score, Noel Bejar also grabbed the Top Qualifier Award through a 2163 (479, 440, 438, 411, 395) total score. Out to test the mettle of Noel Bejar in the semis were Obet Cabrera-2101, Emma Gatus-2063, Ibrahim Dubayan-2036, Nayef Selaily2013, Mishaal Al Roomi-2013, Aseel Al Roomi1993, Sonia Mathews-1982, Jane Nance-1975, Farid Gabriel-1974, Rod Llait-1970, Hermie Saliba-1962, Eddie Pena-1961, Rey Ualat-1949, ReynaldGalvez-1948, Bong Autida-1943, Liza Catapia-1912, Blanca Mercado-1912, Rommel Genciana-1902, Joe Simmons-1902, Shy Lao-1893, Janet Shaikh-1872, Elvie Sotio-1871 and Vicky Navarro-1839. With the total handicapping point in place, Emma Gatus was on top of the standings after two games with 447 pin falls. PBAK Director’s Cup champion Rommel Genciana (444) was up next towing Mishaal Al Roomi (440), Ibrahim Dubayan (434), Joe Simmons (433) and Rey Ualat (429) to the next 2-game block. After dishing out a 226 and 185 in games 3 and 4 Ibrahim Dubayan (845) took over the lead followed by Eddie Pena (804) who rocked the lanes with his 246 in game three.

In the next two games Ibrahim Dubayan (1230) thwarted attempts by his rivals to unseat him and going to the last two games of the semis the other leading contenders for a finals berth were Noel Bejar (1174), Mishaal Al Roomi (1148), Farid Gabriel (1138), Eddie pena (1136) and Nayef Selaily (1133). By closing with games of 247 and 192, Mishaal Al Roomi crossed the wire first with a total 2-game series score of 1587 pin falls taking with him Ibrahim Dubayan (1563), Noel Bejar (1549), Eddie Pena (1524), Nayef Selaily (1499) and Farid Gabriel to the final round. In the first match of step ladder, Nayef Selaily (173) sent home Eddie Pena and Farid Gabriel who struggled with 145 and 138 scores respectively. Nayef was however not as successful in the next match as Noel Bejar defeated him 188-180. An easy 148-99 win over Ibrahim Dubayan sent Noel Bejar to the championship match against top finalist Mishaal Al Roomi. Mishaal who was in control of the match right at the start coasted home to a 179-162 victory to bag his first major PBAK title. The Philippine Bowling Association in Kuwait would like to thank its former Presidents namely Sonny Mariano, Al Belarmino, Ted Yap and Rudy Zablan for the trophies of the tournament.