News

TOP:Herrill Lanes Manager Cynthia Guarino
        and Champion Chris Werben                                                                
BOTTOM:Vito Genova Sr. and Chris Werben

New Hyde Park, NY:  Chris Werben, E. Meadow, NY, won the $3,000 top prize at LIGBT’s Fall Major held at Herrill Lanes. Chris won his first LIGBT title by defeating Vito Genova Sr., Franklin Square, NY 243-240 in an exciting final shootout. Vito earned $1,500 for second while Archie Nabas, Queens Village, NY finished third with a 223 worth $750. Rounding out the final 6 shootout was 4^th place finisher Johnny Kim, Fresh Meadows, NY with a 218 worth $600, 5^th went to Staci Minkoff, Flushing, NY with a 202 worth $550 and 6^th went to Ed Marquez, Elmont, NY with a 186 earning him $500.

The final 6 shootout, which paid out $6,900, was not decided until the final frame. Vito got off to a hot start with 4 strikes to take an early lead. Vito held the lead until he opened three times in the middle of the game. Meanwhile Chris kept filling frames and when Vito doubled in the 9^th and 10^th he forced Chris to fill 18 pins. Chris threw a strike on his first ball in the final frame to secure the Fall Major championship and the $3,000 top prize.

The Fall Major tournament drew a nice crowd of 228 entries including desperado entries. A total of 36 bowlers cashed in a prize fund that paid $12,160. The PBA Chameleon pattern was put down and scoring was moderate with cuts ranging from 696 to 727. High series of the tournament was shot by Robert Mendez, Brooklyn, NY with a 773 in the Friday 10pm squad. No one hit the no-tap jackpot all weekend and it is now worth $440 at our next event at AMF Babylon.

LIGBT’s next tournament is a sport shot event at AMF Babylon on Sunday, October 29^th (1pm & 3:30pm). Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $1,000, $500, $300 and $250. One in 6 each squad advances to the finals and will cash for a minimum of $150. Entry fees are only $80 & $70. For complete results of the Fall Major please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Brunswick, Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Torch Bowling, Knockout Ball Cleaner, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

Deer Park, NY:  Jarret McMillan, a LIFT driver from Jamaica, NY, won the $2,000 top prize at LIGBT’s Match Play Championship event hosted by Strike 10 Deer Park. Jarret’s first LIGBT title was accomplished when he defeated Mack Oakman Jr., Melville, NY 242-234 in the final shootout. While Mack earned $1,000 for second, Beverly Parker, Brooklyn, NY took third with a 228 worth $500. Rounding out the top 5 was Yon Gyo Phark, Flushing NY with a 208 worth $350 and fifth went to Joe Scianna, Ronkonkoma, NY with a 197 worth $300.

The final 5 shootout was a great match. The handicap difference between the 5 bowlers was an enormous 60 pins. Mack Oakman led most of the way as he filled all 10 frames. Jarret stayed close but when he opened in the 8^th frame he trailed Mack by 16 pins. Jarret needed a strong finish and when he tripled in the final 2 frames he secured the $2,000 title.

The Strike 10 Deer Park event drew a nice crowd of 149 entries (plus 24 desperados), advanced 30 bowlers to the finals and paid out $8,700. The cut scores on the “Broadway” pattern were moderate; 704-726. High series of the tournament was shot by James Dickerson, Norwalk, CT with an 844 in the Friday, 10pm squad. Three bowlers hit the no-tap jackpot; Eddie Eng won $656 in the Friday-10pm squad, Jarret McMillan won $76 in the Sunday 1pm squad, and James Mora won $70 in the Sunday 3:30pm squad.

LIGBT’s next tournament is our annual Fall Major at Herrill Lanes; October 20^th & 22^nd. Top prizes are guaranteed at $3,000-$1,500-$500-$350-$300 with 1 in 6 each squad advancing to the finals and guaranteed a minimum of $150. Entry fee are $100 & $80. To view the final results of the Strike 10 Deer Park event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

Astoria, NY:  Viviany Tapia, a 37 year old security officer from Brooklyn, NY, won his first LIGBT title by defeating senior bowler Fletcher Bacote, Whitestone, NY 235-223 at Astoria Bowl. Viviany, who was bowling in his first LIGBT event, earned $1,000 for his victory while Fletcher earned $500. Rounding out the top 4 was third place finisher Maniram Basdeo, Bronx, NY with a 214 worth $300 and fourth went to Yon Gyo Phark, Flushing, NY with a 182 worth $250.

Viviany bowled like a champion throughout the shootout as he was the only bowler without an open. Fletchter got off to a horrible start with 3 opens but finished strong to capture second. Yon Gyo started strong but too many opens late hurt his chances. Maniram had an early double but 3 late opens destroyed his title hopes. Viviany secured his first title with a triple in the last 2 frames.

The Astoria Bowl house shot tournament drew a nice crowd of 79 entries, advanced 15 bowlers to the finals and paid out $3,900. The modified house shot pattern created much lower cut scores than past house shot events; 706 & 708. High series of the tournament was shot by Yon Gyo with a 769 in the 3:30pm squad. The wildcard winner was Ron Hatchett, New York, NY with a 1362 six game series. Michele LaSala, Whitestone, NY was added to the finals as high women with a 681 series in the 1pm squad.

LIGBT’s next tournament is a special 2-day sport shot event at Strike 10 Deer Park October 6 & 8. The top 5 prizes are guaranteed to pay $2,000-$1,000-$500-$350-$300 and 1 in 6 each squad advances to the finals and earns a minimum of $150. To view the final results of the Astoria house shot event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Torch Bowling, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

Garden City, NY:  Less than a year ago Lisa LaGuarino was having surgery on her shoulder. Today she is holding her second LIGBT trophy by winning LIGBT’s sport shot event at AMF Garden City. Lisa, who is a medical billing supervisor from N. Bellmore, NY, won the $1,000 top prize with a 230 to defeat second place finisher Ferrill McNeill, Bronx, NY who shot a 201 and earned $500. Rounding out the top 4 was third place finisher Jimmy Walsh, Glen Cove, NY with a 186 worth $300 and fourth went to Lloyd Gregory, Jamaica, NY with 178 worth $250.

The final shootout was a low scoring event as there were many opens throughout the 10 frames. Lisa stayed clean for the first 6 frames which gave her a slight lead. But when she doubled in the last 2 frames she secured her second LIGBT title. Ferrill stayed close but couldn’t figure out the right lane. When he opened in the 9^th frame his title hopes were dashed and he settled for second place. Jimmy stayed close early but had too many late opens to finish third. Lloyd started with 4 opens and could never recover and had to settle for fourth place.

The AMF Garden City event drew a nice fall crowd of 101 entries (up 10% from last year), advanced 17 bowlers to the finals and paid out $4,460. The cut score in both squads was 705 on the “Autobahn” pattern. High series of the tournament was shot by our champion Lisa with a 787 in the second squad. The wildcard winner was Tony Jimenez, Massapequa Park, NY with a 1385 series. No one hit the no-tap jackpot and it is now worth $586.

LIGBT’s next tournament is a house shot event at Astoria Bowl on Sunday, September 24^th. Top prizes are guaranteed at $1,000-$500-$300-$250 with 1 in 6 each squad advancing to the finals and guaranteed a minimum of $100. Entry fees are $80 & $70. To view the final results of the AMF Garden City event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Torch Bowling, Knockout Ball Cleaner and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

Babylon, NY:  Andre Johnson, a 41 year old limo driver from Portchester, NY, won the $2,000 top prize at LIGBT’s Match Play Championship event held at AMF Babylon. Andre’s first LIGBT title became reality when he defeated Ron Hatchett, New York, NY 255-216 in the final shootout. While Ron earned $1,000 for second, Kevin Miller, NYC, took third with a 214 worth $750. Rounding out the top 4 was Ron Moskow, Huntington Station, NY with a 203 earning him $500.

Andre’s road to victory went through the Desperado. He never qualified in any of the 3 squads but shot a 260 handicap game to be one of the six bowlers that advanced to the finals through the 1-game desperado. In the semis, Andre was the last advancer to make match play as his score was the cut with a 223. In Round 1 of match play Andre defeated the #1 seed Joe Hatchett, NYC, 243-220. In Round 2 Andrew defeated the # 8 seed Jack Kampf, Levittown, NY 235-230.

In the final shootout Andre shot the only clean game. While the other 3 competitors had at least 2 opens Andrew tripled in the 6^th through 8^th frames to seal his first title. Andre took a victory lap when he struck in the tenth frame to secure a 39 pin victory.   

The AMF Babylon event drew an incredible crowd of 193 entries (plus 47 desperados), advanced 37 bowlers to the finals and paid out $9,290. The cut scores on the “Boardwalk” pattern were moderate; 691, 696 & 706. High series of the tournament was shot by Joe Hatchett with an 823 in the 2pm squad. Justin Kampf won the no-tap jackpot worth $500 in the noon squad. Nine bowlers won DV8 Pitbull Growls by shooting the high handicap score each game.

LIGBT’s next tournament is a regular sport shot event at AMF Garden City on Sunday, September 17^th. Top prizes are guaranteed at $1,000-$500-$300-$250 with 1 in 6 each squad advancing to the finals and guaranteed a minimum of $150. Entry fee is $80 & $70. To view the final results of the AMF Babylon event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

Plainview, NY:  Pak Wong, a 51 year old postal employee from New York City won the $5,000 top prize at AMF Plainview where LIGBT’s Super Tournament #3 was held. Pak defeated Josh Valdes, Staten Island, NY 241-238 to win his third LIGBT title. Josh earned $2,500 for his runner-up position. Finishing in third was David Chu, New York, NY with a 225 worth $1,300. Fourth place went to Yon Go Phark, Flushing, NY with a 208 worth $1,200. Rounding out the top 6 was 5^th place finisher Chondite Faison, New York, NY with a 205 worth $1,100 and 6^th went to Brandon Soedamastro, Levittown, NY with a 200 worth $1,000.

The Super Tournament final shootout was a pressure packed match with over $12,000 up for grabs. Despite the very tough lane conditions the 6 contestants started out strong with no one taking control of the match early. As the match entered the last 3 frames it was a 3-way competition for the top prize between Josh, Chondite and Pak.

Chondite’s title hopes were dashed when he opened his last 2 frames. Josh needed a double in the tenth to force Pak to double but he only threw one strike and had to settle for second place. Pak needed to stay clean in his final frame and he spared and then struck to secure the Super Tournament title.

The Super Tournament drew an amazing crowd of 422 entries plus 45 desperado entries. There were 74 finalists who shared in a $25,940 prize fund. Twenty-one DV8 Pitbull Growls were won in the high game pots, and another $27,000 was paid out in side action. Total payout for the weekend exceeded $55,000!

There were other big winners at AMF Plainview via the no-tap jackpot. Joe Scianna earned $500 in the Friday 8pm squad. Adam DeRossi won $180 in the Friday 10pm squad. Sam Cooke won $220 in the Saturday 8pm squad. Johnny Kim won $220 in the Sunday 5pm squad, and Andre Johnson/Maniram Basdeo split a jackpot worth $90 in the Sunday noon squad. Cut scores on the “Stockholm” pattern were low all weekend ranging from 658 to 683. High series of the weekend was shot by Johnny Kim, Fresh Meadows, NY with a 753 series in the Sunday 5pm squad.

LIGBT’s next tournament is Labor Day Sunday, September 3rd at AMF Babylon. This 3 squad event features guaranteed prizes of $2,000-$1,000-$750-$500. Entry fees are $80 and $70 and the lane pattern will be “Boardwalk” For complete results of Super Tournament #3 please visit

Levittown, NY:  Isaura Simon, a graphic artist from Jackson Heights, NY, won LIGBT’s sport shot event at Levittown Lanes. In a 6-bowler final shootout, Isaura defeated second place finisher Ed Passaro, Hicksville, NY 247-244 to win the $1,000 top prize. While Ed earned $600 for second, finishing third, just 2 pins behind, was Shiu Lee, Forest Hills, NY earning $400. Rounding out the top 6 was fourth place finisher Rob Foerster, E. Meadow, NY with a 227 worth $350, fifth went to Archie Nabas, Queens Village, NY with a 226 worth $300 and sixth was taken by Seth Marino, Lindenhurst, NY with a 208 earning him $250.

Isaura was the definite underdog in the shootout as the other 5 bowlers had much higher averages than her 129 club average. But Isaura was not intimidated as she marked in 7 out of her first 8 frames. But the nerves finally took over as Isaura opened the last 2 frames including knocking down only 5 pins in the final frame.

With Isaura’s late open frames several of the finalists had a shot at the title. Ed entered the final frame with a 4 timer and needed just a mark to win. But he through a split to end his title hopes. Shiu needed a double to win and got the first strike but left a 7 count on his next shot to settle for third place. Isaura was shocked when she realized the title was hers.   

The Levittown event drew a great summer crowd of 131 entries, advanced 23 bowlers to the finals and paid out $5,200. The cut scores on the “Boardwalk” pattern were moderate; 691 & 706. High series of the tournament was shot by Archie Nabas with a 765 in the first squad. The wildcard winner was Rich Hengel, E. Meadow, NY, with a 1362 series. The no-tap jackpot was not hit in either squad and will be worth $500 at the Super Tournament. Raffle winners were Jetta Bonds and Brendan Oakley both winning a DV8 Pitbull.

LIGBT’s next tournament is Super Tournament #3 at AMF Plainview August 25-27. Top prizes are guaranteed at $5,000-$2,500-$1,500-$1,250-$1,100-$1,000 with 1 in 6 each squad advancing to the finals and guaranteed a minimum of $150. Entry fee is $80 per squad. To view the final results of the Levittown event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Torch Bowling, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

E. Meadow, NY:  Nasir Ashraf a 31 year old full time student from Jackson Heights, NY won LIGBT’s sport shot tournament at AMF E. Meadow. Nasir, who doesn’t put his thumb in the ball, defeated 2-time title holder Lenny Nguyen, Flushing, NY 270-242 in the final shootout. Nasir’s first title was worth $1,000 while Lenny earned $550 for second. Rounding out the top 4 was third place finisher Seth Marino, Lindenhurst, NY with a 229 worth $400 and fourth was John Baque Jr., East Meadow, NY with a 222 worth $300.

Nasir’s road to his first title began in the 1pm squad where he qualified with a 713 series. In the shootout Nasir began with an open frame but quickly recovered by throwing 4 strikes in the next 5 frames. Lenny had taken the early lead with a 4 timer but he gave it up with two open frames in the middle of the game. Nasir locked up his title with a triple in the last 3 frames to secure a 28 pin victory.

The AMF E. Meadow event drew a great summer crowd of 120 entries, advanced 30 bowlers to the finals (almost 1 in 3) and paid out $5,550. The cut scores on the “Alcatraz” pattern were low; 656 & 662. High series of the tournament was shot by Jonathan Robles, Jamaica, NY with a 730 in the second squad. The wildcard winner was Tavie Caratozzolo, Middle Village, NY with a 1275 series. The no-tap jackpot was hit in the first squad by Eddie Eng, Flushing, NY earning him $130. The bowling ball winners were Joe Hatchett and Utrice Coleman.

LIGBT’s next tournament is at Levittown Lanes on Sunday, August 6th. Top prizes are guaranteed at $1,000-$500-$300-$250 with 1 in 6 each squad advancing to the finals and guaranteed a minimum of $100. To view the final results of the AMF E. Meadow event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Torch Bowling, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.