Gatchalian tops 16-game elimination phase of Sinulog kegfest

RP Team member Joonee Gatchalian emerged on top after the elimination round of the 9th Sinulog Classic Open at the Gaisano Bowlingplex in Brgy. Banilad, this city.

Gatchalian, the 2001 Sinulog champion, collected a total of 3,665 pinfalls after the 16-game series.

Cebu’s Docdoc Gothong and Wilbert Yu occupied the second and third place with 3,478 and 3,452 pinfalls, respectively.

Opening day leader Jun-Jun Gothong ranked fourth with 3,391 pins followed by Vener Reasonda of Manila with 3,374.

Michelle Lim showed consistency to come out as the best female bowler after 16 games.

Michelle, along with her sister Jacklynn, got P5,000 combined, while Kim Lao pocketed P1,000 as special award for coming out as the top three female bowlers in the elimination round.

Guinness world record-holder Paeng Nepomuceno also advanced into the final round after claiming the ninth spot with 3, 346 pins.

The rest of bowlers who made it to the next round were Jeff Chan, defending champion Benshir Layoso, John Gasataya, Leo Tecson, Art Dacumos, Jomar Jumapao, Peping Chan, Ed Aniñon, Edgar Alqueza, Albert Co, Celi Adolfo, Clarence Tiu, Yoshida Takahiro, Alexis Sy, Clifford Tan, Veronica Keegan, Sohrab Almajose, Franky Uy, Pet Agluba,Yule Tanlimco, Inday De Gracia, Charly Michael, Jimmy Uy, Jake Yap, Germaine Uang, Chabs Coronacion and Albert Lim.

Jomar Jumapao almost made a rare perfect game at the 11th rack, but fell short by 10 pins. Still, his 290 pinfalls is the highest game output in the series, so far.

The top 36 bowlers will be playing for eight games in the final round.—Caecent No-ot Magsumbol