Talavera brothers dominate individual awards

Edgar and Robert Talavera had their handprint in four of the five individual awards given out by the Philippine Bowling Association during the awards ceremony of the 31st season of the Saturday League held last Jan. 29 at the Saipan Bowling Center.

Older brother Edgar, who played for M&D Airconditioning, was the first to be called to the winners’ circle after topping the high game with scratch category with 278 pinfalls. Ross Zapanta of Fun & Games was second with 275.

Edgar finished a close second to Mark “The Shark” Halstead of champion team SBC/J’s Restaurant in the high game with handicap. Halstead rolled a 296 to Edgar’s 295.

Robert, who played with Halstead for the restaurateurs, then lorded it over his “kuya” in the high series scratch, knocking down 717. Edgar had to settle for runner-up honors the second time after rolling a 710.

It was the same story in the high series with handicap with the 35-year-old Robert again beating 38-year-old Edgar. Robert scored 783 to Edgar’s 761 to win the plum.

In the high average race, Department of Public Safety officer Simon Manacop beat all comers with a sterling 191-pinfall per game average. His Fun & Games teammate Zapanta was second in the category with his 190.02.

Glen Garde then was named most improved bowler after upping his average from the previous season by a whopping 33.6 pins.

While the Talaveras proved to be without peer in the individual awards, the same could be said of SBC/J’s Restaurant in the special team awards.

The champions of the 31st season of the Saturday League won three of four categories. It took the high game with scratch award with 1,082 pinfalls. Micronesian Brokers, Inc. was second with 1,048.

SBC/J’s Restaurant also lorded it over the high game with handicap: once again beating MBI, 1,196 to 1,162.

It also rang the bell in the high series with handicap, beating MBI for a third time with 3,314 pins to its opponents’ 3,254.

The only special team award that escaped the grasp of SBC/J’s Restaurant was the high series scratch won by Fun & Games. Fun & Games rolled a 2,966 to top SBC/J’s Restaurant, which could only muster 2,942.

The 31st season of the Saturday League was organized by the PBA and sponsored by MARPAC and Budweiser. The league’s officers are president Jess Rebusada, vice president Milo Orallo, secretary Rene Cabigao, treasurer Ross Zapanta, and auditor Bert Travilla.

For more information on the Saturday League, the PBA, and its other bowling leagues, visit www.vzpacifica.net/pbasaipan.com.