KUWAIT CITY, Feb 3: At the end of the month-long qualifying round of the 2011 PBAK Labatt Cup Open Bowling Tournament held at the Cozmo Bowling Center in Khaifan, the stage was all set for the finals of the All-Filipino and Combined Group events of the competition being held in honor of Labor Attache Atty. Vivo V. Vidal and organized by the Philippine Bowling Association in Kuwait. In the All-Filipino finals held yesterday, 13th GCC AFBT Singles Event champion Elvie Sotio gave a hint that her pin point accuracy is back as she stamped her class over a strong field after posting a scintillating and well deserved win.

Based on their best 5 sets in the qualifying round, the Top 32 Filipino bowlers advanced to the 6-game series semi finals where the Top 5 moved on to the step ladder format championship round to determine the final ranking. Going back to the qualifying scores of the 32 semi finalists, Mike Garcia topped the list with a superb 10-game series of 2689 pin falls from his eye popping sets (2 games per set) of 579, 538, 537 522 and 513 for an average score of 268 pin falls per game. In carding his 579 series Mike Garcia rolled in a perfect 300 in game one and a near perfect score of 279 pin falls in game two. Romy Fermil was next up in second place with an equally impressive tally of 2,562 pin falls coming from his top sets of 521, 515, 486, 480 and 470 followed by Tony Zuleta-2,560, Bobby Ferrera-2,435, Noel Bejar-2,420, Al Bautista-2,415, Ed Mendoza-2,400, Bong Bermillo-2,398, Obet Cabrera-2,395, Edwin Latoja-2,392, Rene Marzan-2,389, Cris Bulacja-2,386, Bong Autida-2,376, JR Sabado-2,358, Rudy Zablan-2,354, Al Belarmino-2,353, Dan Montano-2,340, Edwin de Mesa-2,329, Janet Shaikh-2,327, Hermie Saliba-2,292, Tony Bustria-2,290, Sonia Mathews-2,289, Rommel Genciana-2,244, Mar Evangelista-2,235, Eddie Pena-2,229, Kiko Andaya-2,226, Jane Nance-2,212, Ric Marimla-2,200, Mandy Manalo-2197, Egay Cabildo-2,195, Elvie Sotio-2,169 and Emma Gatus-2,132. At the end of the call for reserve bowlers, Rod Llait who was the first reserve replaced JR Sabado who missed the cut-off time.

On with the opening game of the 6-game series event, Sonia Mathews who posted a scratch plus handicap score of 361 was up on top of the leader board early being chased by rest of the lady-dominated lead pack composed of Jane Nance-345, Janet Shaikh-335, Noel Bejar-327, Hermie Saliba-321, Rommel Genciana-318 and Elvie Sotio-304. The high scoring oiling pattern wrought havoc on the standings in game 2 as Elvie Sotio who bowled a 234 snatched the lead away thorugh her 538. Rommel Genciana also improved his position dramatically by taking his tally to 533 pin falls towing Jane Nance-529, Janet Shaikh-523, Romy Fermil-520 and Hermie Saliba-514 to the halfway mark of the series. Propelled by a six bagger that netted her a 247 in game three, Janet Shaikh (770) took her turn at the driver’s seat. As the field prepared to tackle the remaining 3 games, the rest of the front runners at this stage included Rommel Genciana-726, Elvie Sotio-725, Romy Fermil-705, Sonia Mathews-697 and Jane Nance-688.

Game 4 saw smoke billowing from the lanes caused by the sizzling pin busting of the leading contenders led by Elvie Sotio (970) who found her way back to the top of the standings after dishing out a 245. Noel Bejar (949) who was gunning for a perfect game before settling for a 264 jumped to second place followed by Janet Shaikh-928, Rommel Genciana-922, Edwin Latoja -918, and Rudy Zablan-902. In the penultimate game, Elvie Sotio was like a house on fire barely missing a perfect game on her way to a 277 score. With Elvie Sotio (1,247), Noel Bejar (1,167) and Janet Shaikh already assured of a place in the finals, the remaining 2 seats was a toss up between Rudy Zablan (1,134), Rommel Genciana (1,126), Mike Garcia (1,113) and Kiko Andaya (1,095). Free from any worry and with her sight focused on the next round, Elvie Sotio (1,434) closed her semis stint with a 187 to cruise home with the twice to beat top finalist post in her pocket. Joining Elvie in the step ladder were Noel Bejar-1,393, Rudy Zablan-1,358, Janet Shaikh-1,342 and Rommel Genciana-1,328.

Moving on to the championship round, Rommel Genciana showed Janet Shaikh the way to the exit door in the opening match which ended in a 178-163 count for Rommel. Banking on the momentum he gained in his last three games of the semi finals, Rudy Zablan brushed aside the tough Rommel Genciana in the next match 232-227. One win away from the championship match, Rudy Zablan scorched the lanes in his match opposite the talented Noel Bejar in clinching a 268-211 victory that elevated him to next match against the waiting Elvie Sotio. With both bowlers coming off superb performances, the match was dead even until the last few frames of the game where Elvie Sotio held her ground to turn back worthy contender Rudy Zablan for the title 208-196.