Leong wins second King of the Lanes

Richard Leong found himself on top of the mountain for the second time in three months after winning the September Pepsi King of the Lanes Tenpin Bowling Tournament Monday night at the Capital Bowling Center in Garapan.

The 36-year-old Multi-Line Supply sales manager, who won July’s tournament with 963 pinfalls, was not able to duplicate his record-setting performance of two months ago, but his total tally of 859 pins was still four pins better than the next bowler, enabling him to walk away with $150 and another shiny trophy.

“[Monday night] was pretty much average for me,” Leong said shortly after receiving his award. “My lowest game was quite okay and my highest was 237, so my performance was okay.”

Leong got off on the right foot, bruising 207 pins in his first game before cooling off a bit and knocking down 203 pins in his second game for a total of 410 pins, which put him in fifth place in the standings.

Leong, however, remained consistent and while others began to ice up on the lanes, the As Lito resident did the opposite and heated up for 212 pins in his third game to move up the charts.

He then capped his evening by leaving his mark on 237 pins for an average of 214.75 pins per game.

“I came here and I didn’t think I was going to win because I really thought Dannie [Robles] was going to take it,” Leong said. “He’s been really hot lately and recently bowled a perfect game, so I didn’t see myself winning this.”

Leong congratulated Robles for his accomplishment and explained that rolling a perfect game is also a dream of his.

“I hope so one day,” he said. “Any bowler would dream of making 300. The closest I ever got was 279 and 280.”

Just four pins behind Leong was Raul Dumapit, who struggled in the opening game with 179 pins but recovered with 211 pins in his second outing. Dumapit’s saw his chances of winning slip a bit with a pedestrian 187 in the third game, but gave Leong a good run for his money in his final game as the veteran fell just 22 pins shy of bowling a perfect game as he knocked down 278 pins to climb up the charts and finish in second place with 855 pins and leave with $70.

Robles had a decent showing and placed third with 833 pins. He had a good start after rolling 212 and 208 in the first two games, but cooled off with a 189 before closing in a high note with a 224 for the 208.25 average and $40 prize.

Other prize winners included John Rimirch with 807 pins ($35), Toshi Shimizu with 799 pins ($30), Orlie Ebuen with 789 pins ($25), and Simon Manacop and John Santos both with 788 pins ($15 apiece).

Capping the top 10 were Jun Canillo with 787 pins and Edgar Talavera with 780 pins.

The September Pepsi King of the Lanes Tournament drew a total of 56 entries. The monthly bowling competition is sponsored by Pacific Trading Co. It culminates with a season-ending championship tournament at the end of the season.