John Tiongson, Don Tungala triumph in 24th Sletba Open

John Tiongson shows his winning form

MANILA — John Tiongson kept focused and steady in the face of tough competition to win the mixed senior masters crown in the 24th Sta. Lucia East Tenpin Bowling Association (Sletba) Open Championships on Saturday.

Tiongson, a member of the Pasig Bowling Association (PBA), remained unfazed after his toughest rival, Benshir Layoso of PTBA-Gruppo, scored a perfect game in the fifth game to wrest the lead.

The last three games saw a tight fight between the two, with Tiongson finally landing on top with a total 10-game series of 2423 pinfalls, followed by Layoso with 2390.

Jong Enriquez and Mario Magdaluyo, both of Sletba, posted 2288 and 2285, respectively, to place 3rd and 4th, with Linda Gryzbowska of MBA, placing 5th.

Don Tungala with his trophy and cash prize

In the earlier finals game of the day, Don Tungala of Sletba practically burned the lanes with a high 8-game series of 1895 to win the mixed classified masters division.

After placing 3rd after the first game, Tungala put on a relentless pace to lead the field and overcome the tough challenge from rising youth bowlers Matt Barredo of DATBI (1852) and Kassie Yap of Sletba (1847).

Marlon dela Cruz of MTBA-MKAI was 4th with 1813, and Miguel Chua of STAI 5th with 1804.

The finals of the 24th Sletba Open are being held at the Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall Bowling Center in Cainta, Rizal.