Seventh heaven for Century Insurance

Century Insurance found itself back in a familiar situation when it received the championship trophy for the recently concluded 17th season of the PBA-CBC Thursday Night League.

One by one, team captain Ross Zapanta, his sons Ruselle and Raymond, Ernie Villarin, and Roman Mamauag walked to the winners’ circle and claimed the team’s seventh title in eight years.

Not in attendance for the brief awarding ceremony held at the Capitol Bowling Center last Thursday, prior to the start of the 18th season, were other team members Jerry Tan, Ador Dimaano, and Robert Talavera.

Ross Zapanta said it was a great feeling to once again help Century Insurance win the Thursday Night League championship. He said it has been four years since the team claimed the title, with their last championship coming in 2001.

Previously, Century Insurance, which was known as Marianas Express Lines before 2000, brought home the bacon for six consecutive years—1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001.

The Thursday Night League, which is run by the Philippine Bowling Association and sponsored by the Capitol Bowling Center, holds two seasons a year.

Ross Zapanta said the steady play of Villarin, the addition of Talavera, and the emergence of his sons was the big difference in the just concluded season. Talavera took over the slot of Rey Perilla, who went home to his native Philippines.

He said unlike other teams, Century Insurance does not really rely on only one or two bowlers to carry the team. The longtime Office of Public Auditor official said all eight players in his lineup could get hot at any given week and propel the team to victory.

For the record, Villarin paced Century Insurance in pinfall average with a whopping 190 per game average, followed by Raymond and Ruselle Zapanta with 185 and 183, respectively. Talavera (181), Dimaano (178), Ross Zapanta (176), Mamauag (173), and Tan (172) also posted big numbers for the team.

Century Insurance finished the season with a 64-32 record, a game and a half ahead of runner-up Verizon Nitro DSL, which had a 62.5-33.5 win-loss standing. Third place went to Multi-Line Supply at 59.5-36.5, while rounding up the top five were Toyota Microl and Pacific Home Appliances with records of 59-37 and 58-38, respectively.

A total of 16 teams competed in the season and they were Transamerica Keep the Faith (54-41), Outlaws (51-54), Country House/Fiesta Hauz (51-45), Verizon Reload (49.5-46.5), Micronesian Brokers, Inc. (46-50), SDM (44.5-51.5), Eyun Ji Corp. (43-53), Localz II (36-60), Kautz Glass (32-64), Philippine Eagle Corp. (29.5-66.5), and Duty Free Shoppers (26.5-69.5).