Three win in 2008 Classified tourney

Kitz Barja, Allan Hernandez, and Ed Echavez won their respective divisions in the 2008 Philippine Bowling Association Classified Tournament, which concluded last Sunday at the Saipan Bowling Center.

Barja, who overtook erstwhile leader Paul Pangelinan in the six-game roll-off in Class A, won the Classified’s marquee category after beating Simon Manacop in the finals, 202-183.

Barja and Pangelinan actually finished first and second in the roll-off following scores of 1,146 and 1,138, respectively.

That left Manacop (1,121) to duel with “perfect bowlers” Richard Leong (1,117) and Robert Talavera (1,112) in the eliminations, which was eventually won by the latter with a score of 178. Leong came away with a 132 and Talavera a 138.

The Department of Public Safety officer then outlasted Pangelinan in the semifinals, 193-175, to advance to the championship against Barja.

In the finals, Manacop was no match against a fresh Barja as the Micronesian Brokers, Inc. general manager won Class A in a score of 202-183.

The win was worth $350 for Barja, while Manacop and Pangelinan earned $300 and $200, respectively.

Hernandez, for his part, topped Class B but not after getting a scare from up-and-coming youth bowler Raphael Zapanta.

Zapanta upset Hernandez in the first game of the finals, 176-145, but the former came back in the second game, 182-143, to secure the championship.

Zapanta defeated Ferdee Generoso and lady kegler Yho Villavicencio in the eliminations by knocking down 181 pins, while Generoso and Villavicencio bowed out with rolls of 159 and 143, respectively.

The Chacha Ocenview Junior High School student then routed Eric Rabang in the semis, 214-126, but Zapanta’s run ended when Hernandez took the second game in the Class B finals.

Hernandez pocketed $250 for the win, while Zapanta earned $200 for finishing second. Rabang settled for the $150 third place purse.

In Class C, Echavez clinched the title after beating Diana Chong in the second game of the championship, 158-135.

Chong earlier got the better of Rene Cariaso and Mel Regis in the eliminations and then advanced to the finals with a 156-136 win over Carol McKenzie. She was halfway to the title when she upended Echavez in the first game, 160-127, but lost steam in the second game to yield the championship.

Echavez got $150 for winning Class C, while Chong and McKenzie won $100 and $50 for finishing second and third, respectively.

The winners of the Class A, B, and C of the Classified Tournament will be feted next month following the conclusion of the 2008 Bowler of the Year Tournament set for July 20 also at the San Jose bowling venue.