Talavera tops Classified Masters

Four-time perfect gamer Robert Talavera reasserted his mastery of the Saipan Bowling Center after topping last Sunday’s Classified Masters Bowling Tournament.

The SBC lanes supervisor topped the six-game series with 1,872 pinfalls, which was good for an eye-popping 208 average.

The 39-year-old Minalin, Pampanga in the Philippines native then saved his best for last, rolling a tournament-high 256 in the championship round against fellow finalist Simon Manacop’s 195 to take the victory and the $700 cash prize that came with it.

Joining Talavera and Manacop in the stepladder finals were Richard Leong, Ramir De Leong, and Raul Dumapit.

Leong finished second to Talavera in the aforementioned six-game roll-off with his 1,844 pinfalls and 204.89 average. Manacop was third with his 1,806 and 200.67, while De Leon and Dumapit round out the Top 5 with their 1,795 and 199.44 and 1,792 and 199.11, respectively.

For finishing fourth and fifth De Leon and Dumapit duked it out in the first round of the stepladder finals with the latter advancing with a 188-161 victory.

Dumapit, however, was no match against Manacop in the second round as the Department of Public Safety officer beat him black and blue to the tune of 180-134.

Manacop continued to play beautiful music with his bowling ball in the semifinals as he upset second seed Leong, 173-147, to earn the right to play Talavera for all the marbles.

Talavera, however, was more than ready to face off with the former CNMI youth bowler as he rolled one of his best games in months to win the first-ever Classified Masters Bowling Tournament.

Manacop settled for the $350 second place purse, while Leong took home $200. Dumapit came away $125 richer for placing fourth, while De Leon bagged $100 for his effort.

Aside from the Top 5, Raymond Angeles and Romy Guevarra were awarded $50 apiece for finishing sixth and seventh in the six-game roll-off. Angeles knocked down 1,737 pinfalls (193 average), while Guevara was good for 1,732 (192.44).

Classified Masters Bowling Tournament organizer Ador Dimaano said a total of 40 keglers took part in the competition. He said he will organize another masters classified tournament in the coming months.

All participants actually didn’t come home empty-handed, as Dimaano gave away a case of Waioka Sardines and a case of Anchor Milk for eighth to 17th placers, soda for 18th to 22nd, T-shirts with caps for 23rd place to 32nd place, and $10 and $5 to 33rd to 40th placers.