Sunday, March 24, 2019 – CENTRAL LANES BOWLING CENTER, Tamuning, Guam
Gregory Borja left his mark on the 2019 edition of the Pin Point Guam King of the Lanes title as he chalked up another victory and earned his spot in the year end finals. Borja seemed like he was on his way to an easy victory in the final match against Chris Norton opening with a turkey in the early frame as Norton worked on a Dutch game. However, a seven-count split on the sixth frame allowed Norton the opportunity to cut into the deficit. Norton took full advantage of the situation with a turkey of his own to lead Borja by four pins with the final stanza remaining. However, an eight count by Norton on the 11th throw coupled with a double by Borja on the tenth frame ended in a narrow four pin margin for Borja to end the exciting monthly championship match.
In the semi-final matches, 2nd seed Norton topped Charlie Catbagan 223-171 while Borja overcame an opening barrage of strikes by top seed RJ Santos until he chipped away on the 22-pin lead by taking advantage of splits thereafter to defeat Santos 223-193 and set up the match against Norton.
Santos led all competitors in the four games qualifier held earlier in the day followed by Norton, Catbagan, Cesar Villanueva, Jared Gutierrez, Borja, Maria Wood, Ricky Duenas, Nikko Gutierrez and Josh Parton who rounded off the top ten.
The Prince of the Lanes division finale was contested by two female competitors as top seed Lisa Duenas took on Jaeceline Espiritu. Both bowlers were knotted up after four frames with a clean set until Duenas opened in the fifth frame. With a slim 7 pin deficit after the halfway mark, Duenas was able to find her strike area and strung three in a row to take the lead and eventually the match as Espiritu was unable to strike throughout the game although bowling an all spare game. The final score 201-182.
Espiritu opened the semi-final match against 2nd seed Lito Teodoro with a four bagger and cruised with a 226-193 decision to advance to the finals. Duenas easily maneuvered past top seed Manny Villaga in the other bracket 167-148 that set up the finals meet.
Villaga led the Prince division qualifier followed by Teodoro, Shannon Bukikosa, Jaeceline Espiritu, Rudy Palaganas, Lisa Duenas, Paul Perez, Phillip Lopez, Jhun Viray and Nick Gutierrez who rounded off the top ten and advanced to the elimination rounds.
The next Pin Point Guam King and Prince of the Lanes will be held on Sunday, April 14, 2019, 10:00 a.m. at the Central Lanes Bowling Center.
Guam Bowling 