17-year-old USC-TC bowler bags masters title of Cetba National Open

ANSWERED PRAYER

Gj Buyco knew he was up against the best so he made it a point to pray before and after a game of bowling.

The move paid off big time as the 17-year-old Civil Engineering student of the University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus ruled the masters event of the 6th Cebu Tenpin Bowling Association (CETBA) National Open at the SM City-Cebu Bowling Center yesterday.

Buyco, playing for CETBA-PRIMA, emerged the best among the top 48 in the masters event, toppling older and more experienced opponents in the ten pin bowling tournament that featured some of the best bowlers in the country.

“I really did not expect to win this tournament considering that there’s a lot of great bowlers who competed (in the event),” Buyco said. “I admit I had a lot of setbacks in the early part of the tournament but I persevered and improved my games in the next rounds.

I prayed a lot before and after the game. I’m very happy for this victory.”

He said that this tournament is a good preparation for him for his stint in the National Youth Championships in Manila on Dec. 26-30.
Buyco said he sensed that something good was going to happen when he finished at first place in the top eight round with 206 pinfalls. Brian Sy got the same score but had a lower average. Buyco automatically reached the final round for placing first.

Senior bowler Baby Bacon of CIT-U placed second after finishing the final round with 161 pinfalls, while Buyco scored 188.

Meanwhile, team Prima-I, composed of Clarence Tiu, Sam Lagcao and Jericho Jumapao, tallied 6,006 pinfalls to clinch the team event title.