Outstanding cue artists, bowlers take centerstage in SAC awards night

CEBU, Philippines - Award-winning Cebuano cue artists Warren Kiamco and Rubilen “Bingkay” Amit, the Cebu Tenpin Bowling Association (CETBA) and RP Team kegler Kimberly Lao will share the stage with Cebu’s brightest athletes of 2010 in the 29th Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC)-San Miguel Corporation (SMC) All-Cebu Sports Awards on February 19 at the Ayala Activity Center.

Kiamco, also known as “The Warrior” in the billiards circuit, bagged a silver medal in the 2010 Asian Games men’s 9-ball competition, losing to fellow Filipino Dennis Orcollo in the finals in Guangzhou, China last November.

The former Southeast Asian Games gold medallist also reached the semifinals of last year's US Open, the only Filipino to reach the stage before losing to American Corey Deuel at the Cheasepeake Conference Center in Virginia, USA.

The 27-year-old Amit of Mandaue City, also reached the semifinals of last year's women's World 10-ball championship. And even though she failed to defend her 2009 title, her unquestioned grit deserves no less than a major award from the SAC.

CETBA is cited for its successful hosting of a major national bowling tournament, which drew 60 teams in last year's CETBA National Open at the SM Bowling Center.

CETBA, headed by president Antonio “Tony” Ynoc, earned raves from participants including former RP team members and elite bowling clubs for the organization’s expert handling of the two-day tournament which was sanctioned by the Philippine Bowling Congress (PBC).

Another multi-titled Cebuano bowler, Kimberly Lao, will also receive a major award from SAC for making it to the 16-man Philippine team to last year's Asian Games.

A University of the Philippines-Diliman student, Lao also won the girls masters crown in the 17th National Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships in Manila early last year.

Meanwhile, SAC president John Pages announced that this year’s SAC-SMC awards will now be held at the Ayala Activity Center instead of at The Terraces due to the unpredictable weather condition.

The awarding is open to the public. (FREEMAN)