Gatchalian tops Sinulog bowlfest after 8 games

Jonee Gatchalian, a member of the RP team, paced the first eight games of Squad II with a total pinfalls of 1,781 in last night’s action of the 9th Sinulog Classic Open at the Gaisano Bowlingplex in Banilad, this city.

Another Manila-based bowler, Jeff Chan, snatched second place with 1,733 pinfalls. John Gasataya landed in third with 1,723, while defending champion Benshir Layoso, who changed his mind and joined the competition, came in fourth with a score of 1,712 pinfalls. Completing the top ten in Squad II are Vener Reasonda, Peping Chan, Leo Tecson, Paeng Nepumuceno, Edgar Alqueza and Art Dacumos.

Local bowling enthusiasts were a bit disappointed with the performance of four-time world champion Nepomuceno, placed a lowly 13th after the scores of the first eight games of both squads were tallied.

On top of the leaderboard is Jonee Gatchalian, followed by Cebuano bowler Junjun Gothong. Third is Jeff Chan, another Manila-based kegler, with Docdoc Gothong and John Gasataya in fourth and fifth place, respectively.

The sixth to tenth placers were Benshir Layoso, Vener Reasonda, Wilbert Yu, Michelle Lim (the only lady bowler to break into the top ten) and Peping Chan.

Squad I and II were scheduled to play their last eight games last night with the top 36 bowlers, advancing to the final round today. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol