Former RP bowler scores 3 perfect games in MBA

MANILA, Philippines – Former national team standout RJ Bautista found himself in a zone to bowl three perfect games in one brilliant night in the MBA Open Tenpin Bowling Championships qualifiers at the Gameworx Bowling Center in Muntinlupa City.

Armed with a 15-pound Hammer ball, the 30-year PAL flight attendant did the rare feat last Wednesday night with a sizzling six-game series of 1,625 in the event sponsored by the University of Perpetual Help School Systems, Amway, Pagcor and Hi Las Marketing.

“This is the first time that someone has bowled three perfect games in one night in a major local bowling tournament.,” tournament director Archie Pertes, who is also the Philippine Bowling Congress official statistician, said.

“This record may stand for a long time.”

The ATBA-Timberpro ace shot his first 300 in the first game of his initial three-game series on lanes 21 and 22.

The event was backed by the PBC, Trigon Steel Marketing, China PH and G & B Sports Trade.

He followed it up with lines of 221 and 279 for an 800 in his first three games before raising his form further in the next three-game series.

On lanes 25 and 26, Bautista opened with his second 300, then a 225, and capped his unforgettable show with his third 300 for a hot six-game average of 270.8.

The hat-trick of perfect games raised his total to 21 overall while earning P25,000 for the achievement.

positioning himself as the topnotcher in the Open Division semifinals and finals set for today.

Coo said Bautista will also receive a gold ring from the PBC for the remarkable showing.

Meanwhile, PBC president Nitoy Tamayo announced that UPHS will offer P250,000 in scholarships to the Filipino men’s and women’s masters champions of the 38th PBC International Open Championships set to open next weekend at the Paeng Bowling lanes at the Robinson’s Ermita.

Tamayo added that another P250,000 scholarship for the first bowler to score a perfect game during the first day of the kegfest.