Nuqui rules GMTBC Open

Winners all (from left) Paeng Nepomuceno (4th runnerup), Krizziah Tabora-Macatula (1st runnerup), Patrick Nuqui (champion), Raoul Miranda (2nd runnerup), and Mades Arles (3rd runnerup).

CAINTA, Rizal — Philippine National team member Patrick Nuqui overcame a strong challenge from World Cup champion and top qualifier Krizziah Tabora-Macatula of Sletba to rule the 5th Grand Mall Tenpin Bowling Club (GMTBC)-Yee Lu Fa National Heroes Open Championships Sunday.

Nuqui posted a two-game total of 468 against Tabora-Macatula’s 416 in the final match of the stepladder finals held at the Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall Bowling Center in Cainta, Rizal.

Nuqui earlier beat 4-time World Cup champion Paeng Nepomuceno and Philippine team member Mades Arles in the first match to advance to the second round.

He then mustered enough will to defeat another national player, Raoul Miranda, in a tightly-fought contest, 217-213, to arrange a showdown with Tabora-Macatula.

“I feel happy my efforts paid off. I’ve been training for months and I’m really happy to achieve this feat,” Nuqui said.

The GMTBC Open, which is sanctioned by the Philippine Bowling Federation, will hold the mixed seniors finals today (Aug. 12).

Patrick Nuqui: Happy to achieve the feat

In the mixed junior masters division finals also held Sunday, Charlize Calamba of Sletba reigned supreme over the field.

Calamba carded a six-game series of 1072, edging out fellow Sletba Youth member Julie Estrada who had 1065, and Chynna Santos of PBA with 1049.

Rounding up the winners’ circle are Alexa Nuqui of PBA with 1001 and Charleen Calamba of Sletba with 990.

Julie Estrada (left), first runnerup, poses with champion Charlize Calamba.