The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
An up-and-coming bowling prodigy and a top bowler from Quezon City bested rivals in separate categories en route to ruling the SM Bowling Millionaires Cup Year 3 Grand Finals held recently at the SM Megamall Mega Fashion Hall in Mandaluyong City.
Patrick Neil Nuqui, a 15-year-old Grade 10 student from La Salle Greenhills, reigned in the Classified Masters Division with scores of 202-248 in the knockout games to bag P600,000. He garnered a series total of 450 against Quezon City bet and first runner-up Bien Lozada’s 414, making him the youngest player to win in the Millionaires Cup.
That was the first time Nuqui joined the event through the prodding of his father, who is an avid bowling enthusiast.
“It was a great experience to
play against other bowlers. Ang message ko lang sa other young bowlers, keep on practicing at hard work lang talaga,” said the young champion.
Even if he just finished behind Nuqui in the Classified Masters, Lozada emerged as the ultimate winner, as he topped the Open Masters Division, collecting a total of P1.35 million in cash winnings. He reached the finals of both divisions after overcoming six rigorous monthly finals and a recent mild stroke.
At the end of the Open Masters grand finals, Lozada listed knockout scores of 209-237 against first runner-up Letty Pineda’s 207-195 and succeeded in getting the coveted P1 million grand prize. To add to his momentous triumph, Lozada also made history for being the first-ever senior champion of the event.
“Surprise gift ito ni Lord sa amin ng wife ko,” said Lozada, who just turned 70. “Actually, hindi namin ito expected kasi maraming mas magagaling. Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa SM dahil may ganitong mga tournament,” he added.
The third edition of SM Bowling’s Millionaires Cup, which gave away a total of P6 million in cash prizes, saw over 200 registered participants, surpassing the total number of bowlers from its last two stagings.