Suarez recovered from a so-so start in the best-of-three head-to-head finals to frustrate RJ Bautista by the slimmest of margin, 611-610, and rule the men’s division of the annual event.
He opened up with a 174 to Bautista’s 218 but strung up games of 223 and 214 to snatch the crown. Bautista failed to sustain his charge and faltered with 203 and 189.
Like Suarez, Canare battled back from a poor start by rolling solid games in the last two frames to complete a 622-602 rout of Liza del Rosario in their own side of the duel.
Del Rosario came through with an opening 232 against Canare’s 204 but wavered in the last two games (181-189), enabling Canare to storm ahead with a second 204 and a closing 214.
Suarez and Canare thus earned all-expenses paid trip and the right to represent the country in the prestigious Bowling World Cup set Sept. 7-Oct. 4 at the Planet Sipango in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
On his way to the final, the top-ranked Suarez disposed of Eric Arañez, 471-399 in the quarterfinal then dominated Jeremy Posadas, 506-440, in the semis. Bautista, on the other hand, ripped Angelo Constantino, 445-358, in the quarters, then whipped Biboy Rivera, 457-367, in the next round.
On the other hand, Canare, who also emerged the top seed in the quarters, downed Baby David, 402-344, then trounced Alice Bautista, 482-408, in the semis. Del Rosario, who gained the No. 3 ranking, whipped Pinky Buenaflor, 418-337, then dominated Ellen Ramos, 702-560, in the semis.