21st Sletba Open starts; victorious paralympic team cited

Sletba officials led by its president Engr. Mar Lualhati (2nd from left) and secretary Atty. Boy de Leon (right) prepare to roll the ceremonial ball to start the 21st Sletba Open at the Sta. Lucia Mall Bowling Center in Cainta. With them are (from left) Benny Dytoc of PTBA, Benshir Layoso, national team member and coach of the national paralympic team, Gerry Mallilin, president of Philippine Bowling Congress, and Lilian Teano, president of the Tiger City (Mandaluyong) Bowling Association.

The 21st Sta. Lucia East Tenpin Bowling Association-Rizal (Sletba) Open Championships rolled off Saturday at the Sta. Lucia Bowling Center in Cainta, Rizal.

Engr. Mar Lualhati, president of Sletba, led the simple opening rites graced by the presence of officials of the Philippine Bowling Congress and other associations based in Metro Manila and in the provinces.

In his remarks, Lualhati thanked the sponsors and the PBC and the associations for supporting this year’s premier event of Sletba. He also presented and cited the exploits of the Philippine bowling paralympic team which bagged seven medals in the recently held bowling paralympic games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Lualhati, in turn, received a plaque of appreciation from paralympic team coach Benshir Layoso for his support for the team.

Players from the national team and from various associations are expected to join the annual tournament and vie for cash prizes worth over P400,000 spread over three groups.

Qualifying games started right after the opening rites Saturday and will be held daily from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. until Oct. 14.

Sletba president Engr. Mar Lualhati (right) with members of the Philippine bowling paralympic team which won 7 medals in the recently held tenpin bowling paralympic games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.