Rey Velarde Retains Crown at CETBA National Open Tournament 2025
Cebu City, Philippines – The CETBA National Open Tournament, held from November 25–30 at the SM City Bowling Center in Cebu, concluded with an electrifying display of talent, grit, and championship composure. Defending champion Rey Velarde once again proved his dominance on the lanes, securing back-to-back titles after a commanding performance in the finals.
Velarde, who entered the final stages as the top seed after the 10-game series, showcased consistency and confidence throughout the tournament. His position at the top allowed him to await the challenger emerging from the stepladder format—an advantage earned through exceptional scoring during the qualifying rounds.
The road to the championship clash was anything but easy for Marvin Sevilla, the third seed who fought his way into the final match. Sevilla began his stepladder climb with a knockout game against fourth seed Danny Sabang and fifth seed David Peña. Demonstrating poise under pressure, Sevilla prevailed and moved on to face the formidable second seed Raymund Livioco.
The 1-game showdown between Sevilla and Livioco was tightly contested, with both bowlers trading strikes and spares in a tense back-and-forth battle. In the end, Sevilla edged out Livioco in a narrow but well-earned victory, earning his place in the championship round against Velarde.
However, the defending champion showed exactly why he held the crown. In the final match, Velarde delivered a convincing and composed performance, controlling the pace and keeping the pressure high. His precision and unwavering focus secured him the win, allowing him to successfully defend his title and remain the CETBA National Open Champion.
Lady Rookie Sarmiento Takes Senior Category Title
The Senior Category, held on November 28 at the same venue, delivered one of the tournament’s most inspiring results. Cherry Sarmiento, a lady bowler and a rookie in the senior division, emerged as champion after an intense eight-game series.
Sarmiento finished with a narrow 12-point lead over second-placer Marvin Sevilla, who posted another strong outing after his semifinal run in the Open Category. Ging Francisco rounded out the podium in third place.
All three winners are proud members of the Cebu Tenpin Bowling Association (CETBA), underscoring the depth of local talent within the host organization.
Sawangan Dominates Novice Category With Commanding Win
In the Novice Category—reserved for bowlers averaging 155 and below—Albert Sawangan delivered a standout performance to claim the championship after six games. Sawangan built a commanding lead over his closest competitors, finishing ahead of runner-up Cherry Sarmiento and third-placer Kevin Mirasol.
Sawangan also recorded the highest single game of the division, firing a 233, the top score among the 21 bowlers who advanced to the master’s finals. His dominant form set the tone for a decisive victory.
All three winners are also proud members of the Cebu Tenpin Bowling Association (CETBA), underscoring the depth of local talent within the host organization.
The 2025 CETBA National Open once again highlighted the depth of talent in Philippine bowling, bringing together seasoned competitors and rising challengers in a week of high-level competition and sportsmanship. As the tournament closed, fans and participants celebrated another memorable year—one marked by intense matches, dramatic climbs, and the continued reign of Rey Velarde at the top of the national bowling stage.
