This week’s Champion is Brandon "Marvel" Benicta.  Brandon was late checking in and was told he would miss the warm-up session, but he said it was okay and managed to get himself and equipment to his assigned lane.  Brandon first joined our tour back in December of 2010 and his best finish was 14th and a tie for 16th.  Estelle Canincia showed up for the first squad and sort of surprised the staff because she normally shows for the second squad with her bowling buddies Kevin and Daniel but she had to go to work in the late afternoon.  She went out to the lanes and bowled so well, set a high score at 1090 and was so stoked that she was the first squad leader, she had second thoughts of going to work.  That set the bar pretty high butBrandon didn't care, all he said was, "anything can happen".  Brandon then went out and bowled with "Lady Luck" on his side.  As a right handed bowler, one would think that he was a lefty with all the "Brooklyns" he carried, but Hey! a strike is a strike.  He was so excited that he shot so well, beating Estelle's already high score firing an 1134 and the lead going into the third squad.  He was so excited at being the leader, that he paced up and down the bowling center carrying his daughter, Selena, with him.  In the third and last squad, Victor Lagpacan and Sidney Remigio, looking for his second championship, bowled really well but fell way short.  Brandon wins his first title and a giant payday of $1,537 plus the high series and game, brackets and side pots.  Nice!  Brandon thanks the 9 Tap Tour and Ray Allen for drilling his ball, a Marvel Pearl.  The 9 Tap Jackpot is still at a high, $5,746.00 and the Progressive Pot is at $1083.00.  This past week, Vergilio Repollo made another valiant try at the 9 Tap Jackpot with 4 no taps and the consolation prize of $100.  Nice job Vergilio!!  Despite the smaller entries, the Tour still paid out over $4,000.00.

 

The 9 Tap Tour takes a 2 week hiatus and will be back April 7 at Leeward Bowl.  Please be advised that the times at Leeward has changed and bowling will start at 0900 a.m. Second squad will start at 1130 a.m. and third at 2:00 p.m.  Leeward Bowl is a new venue of the Tour and we hope to continue our relationship.  There has been a lot of buzz going around about the Tour and after signing in 6 new members from Hickam and 7 from Schofield, we do expect more bowlers to join at Leeward.  So, hope to see all of you there.

 

During the Hickam Doubles and Schofield Tournaments, Rob and Marge Victor, CEO of the 9 Tap Tour Inc. Washington, paid us a visit and was impressed with our tournaments, the growth and the Ohana/Aloha spirit displayed in the Hawaii Region.  They enjoyed meeting and talking to our bowlers.  Safe travels to Rob and Marge as they depart for the Pacific Northwest on Monday.   

Ben Ballesteros

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