Thursday, December 11, 2025 – CENTRAL LANES BOWLING CENTER, Tamuning, Guam
When pins moved, so did titles. That was the story of the day at the IIAAG 2025 High School Bowling League, where heavy favorites AOLG Cougars and FDMS Friars stormed through the preliminary rounds only to face fierce resistance in the championship matches. What unfolded was a showcase of grit, drama, and the unyielding spirit of high school athletes.
Girls Division: Eagles Break the Cougars’ Dynasty
For five years, the AOLG Cougars held an undefeated grip on the girls’ bowling crown. On championship day, however, the HCA Eagles soared higher, ending the Cougars’ reign in a stunning upset.
The turning point came through the masterful composure of anchor bowler Charmaine Tyquiengco, who carried the weight of her team’s destiny. To even reach the finals, Tyquiengco had to win a one-frame roll-off against the SJS Knights whose team members include Carmel Mariano, Kristin Capati, Oliva Lee, and Ryza Capati. With nerves of steel, she delivered, sending the Eagles into the championship showdown with the Cougars.
In the finals, the drama intensified.
- Game One: With the first game down to the wire and needing a punch out to win the game, she calmly dropped all three shots sending the pins into Lalaland and putting her team a top by a single pin.
- Game Two: Facing another deficit, the Eagles rallied. A clutch strike by teammate Kate Pedrajas and a costly foul by the Cougars set the stage. Tyquiengco once again rose to the moment, striking in the tenth frame and sparing in the closing shots to clinch the Eagles’ first-ever title.
“This is as sweet as it gets,” said Von Cabral, head coach of the Eagles, praising his young squad with no seniors for pulling off the unthinkable. The championship team featured Tyquiengco, Rebecca Xu, Rennie Choi, Kate Pedrajas, Denise Garcia and Isabella Galsim.
The Cougars’ roster included girls champion Summer Pinaula, Aha’ani Sablan, Riona Brantley, Maia Palomo, Kristine Lanuza, and Alexia Delfin who fought valiantly but fell short in the final frames.
Boys Division: Friars Hold Off Eagles in Nail-Biting Finish
The Eagles boys nearly replicated their teammates’ heroics, but the FDMS Friars—powered by a senior-heavy lineup—proved why they were the season’s dominant force.
Led by Ezekiel Gatan, Dominic Cruz, Aiden Kim, singles champion Jaden Milan, and Ayden Buentipo, the Friars had topped every team baker competition during the season with a commanding 190 average. Their dominance continued in the semifinals, dispatching the GACS Stars with ease.
The Eagles, however, refused to bow out quietly. In their semifinal against the Knights, whose team members include Elijah Dewan, Andrew Baker, William Lee, Noah Valencia, and Kavika Angoco, the match came down to another one-ball roll-off. Knights bowler Baker knocked down nine pins, but Eagles’ Jihoo Cha answered with a Brooklyn strike sending his team into the finals amid thunderous cheers.
In the championship match:
- Game One: The Friars wasted no time, opening with a string of strikes en route to a commanding 225 game.
- Game Two: The Eagles, featuring Austin Kim, Don Cabral, Seth Beaver, Eric Moon, Logan Perez, and Jihoo Cha, clawed back. With a double and a 26-pin lead midway, the crowd braced for another one-ball finale. Yet, missed opportunities in the closing frames proved costly. The Friars held their nerve, as anchor Milan coolly converted a crucial seven-pin spare after Cha fell short in the tenth frame, sealing a dramatic six-pin victory and the championship crown. The Friars’ resilience sealed their championship, capping a season of dominance with a dramatic finish.
The awarding ceremony at Central Lanes Bowling Center celebrated not only the champions but the spirit of competition that defined the league. Trophies were presented to the top teams, marking the end of a season filled with tension, triumphs, and unforgettable resilience.
Guam Bowling 