
By Robert Balajadia
The first ever National Bowling Championships took over the Central Lanes bowling alley all weekend with a trio of young bowlers making a big name for themselves, claiming all three championship top spots.
15-year-old Noah Taimanglo was crowned open champion, 15-year-old Frank Manibusan Jr. won classified champion and 12-year-old Evan Duenas won as the youth champion.
The event concluded with an intense three-person ladder featuring Taimanglo, Ceaser Villanueva and the unlikely Jae Sang Lee, who propelled into the top three after bowling a 299-game from outside the top 10.
“I wasn’t thinking about it too much, but bowling that near-perfect game was crazy,” said Lee, who missed the perfect game on the 10th pin.
Taimanglo and Villanueva featured a back-and-forth game until Taimanglo caught fire, nailing five straight strikes through from the first to sixth frame that had plenty of the veteran bowlers oohing at his performance.
“There were so much nerves and the amount of pressure I had on myself was tough. But hitting those five strikes in a row made me really feel like I was taking over,” said Taimanglo of his final match.
Villanueva hit two spares in the opening frames, but started to pick up steam hitting strikes from the third to seventh frame, but a 7-1 split in the 8th started to widen the gap. Taimanglo’s spare in the 7th was quickly forgotten as he bowled his way to a stellar 279 game while Villanueva claimed second place with his 260 game.
“I think the youth really proved themselves out here this weekend, not only to the veterans but also just being able to represent Guam,” added Taimanglo.
Confidence Fuelled Manibusan Jr.
The classified champion in Frank Manibusan Jr. is not only a young 15-year-old on the verge of 16, but also a bowler with just two years of experience. His rise to the top can be attributed to hitting the lanes with dad Frank, who helped adjust his game.
“I was really bad at throwing with one hand, but I managed to switch to two-hand bowling and I started performing much better,” said Manibusan Jr.
Manibusan said he was surprised to win it all, but he didn’t lack confidence as he displayed poise from the opening roll.
“I bowled really good in the first game and I felt like I could push my way to that number one spot. It’s really competitive every time you bowl and I’ve learned a lot through my mistakes which really helped me out today. I’ve also met a lot of great people along the way,” added Manibusan Jr.
Future is bright for Guam Bowling
The IIAAG has adopted bowling as a high school sport for the first time ever, which will feature the athletes like Taimanglo and Manibusan. Aside from now being able to bowl in highs school National Bowling Congress’s Joey Miranda explained the future for Guam Bowling is on the up-and-up.
“The future is definitely bright, and we want to get these kids ready to compete in some upcoming international events, but to ultimately be ready for the East Asian Games in 2019,” said Miranda.
The first ever National Bowling Competition over the weekend was a first, but it won’t likely be it’s last.
“Competitions like this, and the ones held at Central Lanes monthly, as well as the upcoming IIAAG league, will give these kids all the chances to hone their skills and we’re really excited about that. Our goal is to also get more bowlers to come out to play and practice,” added Miranda.
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GPS Sports Calendar
February 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for January
1st
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
2nd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
4th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for February
6th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
7th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
8th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
9th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL FINALS
Events for February
12th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 2
Events for February
13th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
14th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
15th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
16th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
17th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
18th
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2K/5K
World Athletics Cross Country Championships
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for February
20th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
21st
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
22nd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
23rd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
24th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for February
24th
Events for February
25th
Events for February
27th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for February
28th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

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