The Negros Sugarbowl Tenpin Bowling Association (STAI) / Bowler X youth bowlers triumphed in the inaugural 2024 U22 BowlPro PH Youth Challenge held from May 31 to June 2, at E-Lanes Bowling Center in Ortigas City, Metro Manila.
Sydmond Vista, a La Carlota native, emerged victorious by defeating national team member Juancho Calumpong in a race to two wins for the championship title.
In the girls’ category, Tracey Tan secured second place. While in the under-15 category, Micco Necessario and Isiah Villarosa achieved first and third places, respectively.
As the Storm U22 champion, Vista was awarded an all-expenses-paid trip to Fukuoka, Japan, to compete in the upcoming international Storm U22 tournament on August 7-9.
The Negros STAI team also includes Alyana Abelada, Antonette Garcia, Nicole Yap, Sophia Alimon, Rheylene Panganiban, and Manila based youth bowlers Miguel Chua and Adrian Jimeno.
STAI extended its gratitude to Storm VP Robert Dong and Storm Technical Director Mervin Foo for bringing the competition to the Philippines, as an outreach program for young aspiring bowlers.
The victory for the Negros team is credited to the Lopue’s East Bowling Center, under the guidance of Coach Billy and OJ Lopue, who tirelessly provided the venue and training facility for the bowlers. Special thanks goes to our Bowler X family for providing travel expenses, bowling equipment, tools, and bowling balls for the STAI youth program through the efforts of Mark and Flor Hodgkinson.
Kudos also goes to the coaching staff, headed by Herman Santos, Billy Lopue, Jose “Junjun” Tan, Ariel Yelo and Stephen “Karl” Barbosa, who provided guidance and training for the team, as well as the the unsung heroes of the STAI youth team; particularly the officers and parents whose efforts made the team’s participation in such events possible.*
