JOS Corp. defends Friday Night title

JOS Corp. thrived on pure team effort to bag its first back-to-back championship in the 23rd season of the Philippine Bowling Association Friday Night League that concluded last Feb. 13 at the Capitol Bowling Center.

The repeat champions closed out with a 48-24 win-loss record despite not having anyone of their players winning any of the 29 special awards that were given out, including 12 in the team and 17 in the individual categories.

Anchored by Orly Ebuen, Jorge Soledad, Dannie Robles, Atoy Banting, Rey Madrilejos, Ferdee Generoso, Ruben Avendano, Paul Bea, and team captain Joe Digno, JOS Corp. pocketed a total of $600.

”It’s a team effort. We have a balanced lineup. Everybody contributed. We’re more than happy despite not having any prize in the individual awards,” Digno said during a simple awards ceremony held at the start of the 24th season last Friday, Feb. 27.

It was also the third PBA title for JOS Corp. since winning its first in season 18. They also did it in November last year.

Team #10 grabbed all the special awards in team highs and one of its players reaped six individual awards but they settled for second place in the final standings with a 46-26 record, which gave them $350.

RR Consulting placed third with a 44-28 win-loss record, good for $250; while Team #5 was fourth with a 41-31 slate. IT&E finished fifth with a 39-33 record. The two latter teams pocketed $150 and $100, respectively.

Powered by the sterling performance of Simon Manacop, Team #10 was first in team high game scratch with a total of 1,067 pins for an additional $40. Team #5 was second with 980 pins for $35, while RR Consulting was third with 962 for $25.

Manacop’s teammates included Kitz Barja, Norman Del Rosario, Richard Leong, Mario Mayuga, Marie Manansala, Alex Yu, and Diego Villagomez.

Team #10 was also first in high game with handicap (1,152 pins) for another $40. Ambyth was second (1,129 pins) for $35, and Mister Swifts third (1,127 pins) for $25.

Team #10 led the league in high series scratch (2,922 pins) for $45, RR Consulting (2,753 pins) for $40 and Team #5 was third (2,731) for $30.

Team #10 also came first in high series with handicap (2,731 pins) for $45 each. IT&E was second (3,182) for $40 and Mister Swifts third (3,152) for $30.

Manacop was adjudged as the men’s most improved bowler in the men’s division (+16.10) by leading the way in four of the five individual awards.

Manacop, a police officer with the Department of Public Safety, was first in high game scratch with 278 pins. Raymond Zapanta of Team #5 placed second.

Manacop and Zapanta went 1-2 in high game with handicap with 293 and 282 pins, respectively. In the high series scratch, Manacop beat his teammate Leong after they finished with 690 and 667, respectively. The two were also at it in the high average with Manacop rolling a 197.10 and Leong a 187.35.

However, Chester Bai prevented Manacop from sweeping the individual awards after closing with a 714 against the latter’s 710 in the high series with handicap.

In the ladies division, Ron Cal topped four of five individual awards, including high game scratch (215), high series scratch (604), high series with handicap (706), and high average (160.74).

Pau Ramos became the most improved bowler in the ladies division after upping her score by an average of 6.75 pins.

Organizers said there had been a continuing decline in the number of teams participating which averaged 16 in the past.

The 12 teams last year was trimmed to 10 in the recently started season. The current teams include two-time defending champion JOS Corp., Team #10, RR Consulting, Team #5, IT&E Life in Motion, Ambyth, IT&E Gcash, Waloka, Python, and No Smoking Please.

Mister Swifts and MIFICPA decided not to join the newly opened season.