PTI GSM speeds away with Friday Night title

Exactly a week ago today, members of PTI GSM received their just deserves after completing a championship repeat by winning the 21st season of the PBA-CBC Friday Night League.

The team ran away with the title it shared with Century Insurance last season after finishing the season that ended last March 14 with a 64.5-31.5 record—more than 3.5 points ahead of eventual runner-up Spartans (61-35) and a full six points more than third place Seabridge/MIFICPA (58.5-37.5)

PTI GSM is made up of team captain Richie Dumlao, Raymond Sanchez, Jojo Santos, Ronald Epan, Lynn Santos, Jonathan Eparwa, Randy Abreau, and youngster Raphael Zapanta.

In an interview, Dumlao thanked PTI management for continuing to support the team. He said the championship was a total team effort and saluted his players for their dedication and commitment game in and game out.

He said all players of PTI GSM are back for the 22nd season of the competition and will try their best to win a rare three-peat.

UIC (53-43) and RR Consulting Services (50-46) complete the Top 5 as well as the money list. PTI GSM took home $550, Spartans $300, Seabridge/MIFICPA $250, UIC $150, and RR Consulting Services $100.

In the individual awards, Simon Manacop of Spartans and Ron Cal of PTI were the season’s high average winners with their respective averages of 196.52 and 173.3.

The most improved bowlers were Zapanta (17.3-pin improvement) and Nila’s Salon’s Lala Taitano.

Spartans teammates Richard Leong and Kitz Barja finished 1-2 in the high game scratch with 279 and 278, while Cal topped the women’s with her 225.

Darwin Gonzales of Saipan World Resort was No. 1 in the high game with handicap with his 297, followed by the duo of Leong and Ramir De Leon of PTI with their identical 286s. Carol Jagna of Triple J Wholesale was without peer in the women with her 266.

Eparwa held fort in the high series scratch with his 756 with Barja second with his 747. Cal again topped the ladies with her 583.

Eparwa again was unstoppable in the high series with handicap with his 792 with Barja again finishing runner-up with his 762. Taitano’s 792 was good for first place among the women.

In the team special awards, Spartans swept all four categories—high game scratch, high game with handicap, high series scratch, and high series with handicap. PTI GSM finished second in all categories save for high game with handicap where sister team PTI was runner-up.

The PBA-CBC Friday Night League was organized by the Philippine Bowling Association and was played at the Capital Bowling Center.