SAM'S TOWN BOWLING CENTER

champs Nathan Panaligan & Teo Cipriaso

    Nathan Panaligan returned to the JBT winner's circle, while Teo Cipriaso tasted victory for the first time, in exciting Mojave Conference action at Sam's Town.

   Panaligan won four matches in the stepladder finals- continuing a trend of late- to capture his 12th career JBT title.   He began with a 215-192 win over Adam Reynoso, then followed with a 208-177 grindout win over Dalls Leong.  Leong, at just 13 years old, was one of our youngest scratch finalists ever.  In the semifinal bout, Nathan beat Cameron Smith 219-175.  Despite the defeat, Smith took over the scratch Mojave conference points lead with the third place finish.

  Against top seed DJ Sloan, Panaligan had his hands full, as DJ was looking to avenge some tough runner-up finishes this season.  However, an unfortunate ninth-frame slip resulted in a foul (on a shot he struck on), and that turned the match in Nathan's favor.  His 227-184 victory wrapped up the win for the veteran righty.

   Ian Hanuscin opened the handicap division stepladder finals with a 197-190 win over Zac Hochman in round one.  Samantha Meyers then defeated Hanuscin 204-166, before Eric Demo, who is having a fine season, turned the tables on Meyers, 188-170, to advance to the title match.

   Demo and top seed Cipriaso engaged in a back and forth match with both players saving some clutch bowling for the end.  After tenth frame spares from both bowlers and some breathless arithmetic, both bowlers ended up in a 198 tie, the second title match tie (an extremely rare event) this season in JBT action.  In the rolloff, Teo left duplicate solid 9-pins, but spared them both, and that turned out to be enough for a 32-26 win, and his first JBT title.

  Big thanks to the whole crew at Sam's Town for their hospitality hosting our Tour every year.  Both champs threw Ebonite balls for the win, earning them an extra $100 each, and boosting the day's awards to over $1,600 to juniors of all ages and averages.  Want in on the fun?  Come on down to the next JBT event, it's as simple as that!