4/4 So Close

Week 11 of the Philly Pinoy Filipino Winter League (FWL) and it was the last week in regulation play, when team rankings for next week's Finals were to be decided.  The Bowlinators had dropped to 5th place after suffering their sixth straight losing week, and were fighting for trophy contention as they faced the top ranked (and uber hot) Lords of the Lanes, who had clinched the top ranking last week.  

At last!  It was amazingly good to see the old Bowlinator spark on display, as Paul, Blue, Romy and I found our mojo and bowled our brains out.  Hallelujah, we are back!  Third game especially felt like our earlier nights of fighting fierceness.  The Lords may have had their minds focused more on the coming finals, but they still gave us a good fight.  Over Lord Joel had a string of strikes in Game 1.  And in the third game, Lords Roy and Jops were both stringing strikes, we had to fight back!  Oh my golly golay, Bowlinator Blue was on fire, though, stringing strikes of his own, starting off like he was on a roll towards a perfect game.  And when his string of strikes unfortunately ended, Romy got the hot hand with his own string of strikes which kept the lead growing.  When the night was over, the Bowlinators had dominated with a sweep: ah, a win, finally!  Go Team!  What an amazing Player of the Week performance from Blue, who bowled a 615 series, with a 205 average for the night: Blue, Blue, Blue!

Was it enough?

Alas, as the final game between the PinKillers and BowlDawgs ended, it became apparent that it was close, so close, but not good enough for the Bowlinators.  The Lords kept the top spot with 27.5 points.  The X-Men swept the Bowlerines to take 2nd place with 27 points.  Bowlerines are in 3rd place with 23.5 points.  Winning three points against the BowlDawgs, the PinKillers have 23 points, same as the Bowlinators, but since the PinKillers had beat the Bowlinators in match play, PinKillers win the tie break and clinch 4th place.  Oh the humanity!  So close yet so far!  The Bowlinators are in 5th place, out of trophy contention.  Rounding out the rankings after the 4th place PinKillers and 5th place Bowlinators are the Bowleros in 6th place with 20 points, the BowlDawgs in 7th with 17 points, and bAll In in 8th with 15 points.  The results for Week 11 have been posted.

The FWL Finals are upon us already, when it seems we have just begun!  Can y'all believe how time has flown?  One more night, one more pivotal matchup to decide it all.  The Bowlinators will be up against their regular bowling practice pals, the Bowleros.  It promises to be a super fun night, for sure.  Lots of dancing, I hope!

For those of you looking beyond the Finals and wondering how to continue bowling this summer, there are several available options.  The Philly Pinoy bowlers usually practice at the Palace on Sunday evenings at around 5-6 pm.  You can join me for practice on Sunday mornings at 10 am and Wednesday evenings at 9 pm.  Ladies, there are still slots in my all women USBC league which plays every Wednesday night at 6:30 pm.  Ladies and gentlemen, if you are interested in leagues this summer and also in the fall, you can contact me or contact Bob Neave, League Coordinator at the Palace (610-269-9999).  I have already been inquiring about USBC leagues in the fall, since slots in the USBC leagues are hard to come by.  Let me know if you are interested.

Watch out for the Mixed Fall League (MFL) making a much-awaited come back on Sunday evenings in the Fall.  Till this Friday and till our next league, my friends.  See y'all on the lanes...

Bowl, baby, bowl!