LIHU‘E — There was a groan from the audience as Tony Reyes left a pin in the second frame Tuesday afternoon. But that was replaced by cheers and applause when the San Bruno Californian rolled a turkey to cap his
LIHU‘E — There was a groan from the audience as Tony Reyes left a pin in the second frame Tuesday afternoon.
But that was replaced by cheers and applause when the San Bruno Californian rolled a turkey to cap his 206-177 win over Adam Ahmad of Pullman, Wash. for a come-from-behind win in the Pro Bowlers Association West/Northwest Region Rice Shopping Center Open, at Lihu‘e Bowling Center.
Opening with a strike and a spare, Ahmad pulled to a 39-27 lead following Reyes’ open second frame. But Reyes rolled a spare and a strike in the third and fourth frames, respectively, the strike being his first in that match.
Ahmad, top seeded entering the final game, spared the third and fourth frames to retain his lead, 57-47.
But the thumb that began bothering him during the battle for third place between Reyes and Jon Brandon of Santa Clarita, Calif., took its toll as Ahman left large pincounts on his first rolls, and extracted groans of sympathy from the audience when he rolled a three-pin split on his first roll in the 10th frame.
Reyes, on the other hand, capitalized on Ahman’s irritated thumb with consistent bowling, picking up spares and strikes to cap the win with four, final, back-to-back strikes, overtaking Ahmad in the ninth frame.
“This one is for you folks,” Reyes said, hoisting the crystal trophy. “You folks have taken me in like your own son, and without your support, I wouldn’t be here. This one is for you folks.”
The Tuesday win was Reyes’ first Rice Shopping Center Open win in many appearances at the PBA event here.
“I’ve had two second-place wins, a third place, and I’m just so happy right now,” Reyes said, choking back his emotions. “This is a great tournament and a great bowling alley.”
For Ahmad, the second-place win was bittersweet, as he was in control of his game through most of the two-day tournament.
Gary Mage, the PBA West/Northwest manager, said Ahmad was a newcomer to the PBA circuit, and a win in Lihu‘e would have been his first.
Reyes finished with a 3,820 pinfall after 18 games. Ahmad had 3,890 followed by Brandon at 3,744. Keith Odette of Waipahu could savor his saimin after finishing fourth with 3,819, followed by Kaua‘i’s own Darryl Izumo at 3,684 for fifth.
Tyler Jensen, the defending champion, ended sixth with 3,698. Chad Uyehara of Fresno, Calif. finished at seventh with 3,614 followed by Chad Pojas of Wahiawa (3,687), Lance Kim of Wahiawa (3,464), and Craig Diver of Spring, Texas rounding out the top 10, at 3,350.
Izumo and the other bowlers, including Mary Jean Abigania of Lihu‘e, head to O‘ahu for the PBA West/Northwest Hickam AFB Open that rolls Friday through Sunday, April 24 to 26.
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
