The L.A. X is struggling mightily through the first three rounds of the inaugural Professional Bowling Assn. League, but its players are charting an impressive course in their individual pursuits.
Two weeks ago, Colombia’s Andres Gomez, a member of the X, defended his title in the Carmen Salvino Classic with a 246-197 victory over D.J. Archer of Friendsworth, Texas.
And Sunday, three members of the X are in the running for the championship of the United States Bowling Congress Masters at Brunswick Zone Carolier in North Brunswick, N.J.
They are Australia’s Jason Belmonte, Wes Malott of Pflugerville, Texas, and Parker Bohn III of Jackson, N.J. Belmonte is the No. 1 seed for Sunday’s stepladder finals after completing a sweep of six three-game matches Saturday.
Belmonte, a two-handed bowler, defeated Stuart Williams of England, 750-616, in a battle of unbeaten players to finish with a perfect record in the double-elimination, match-play tournament. Williams will be the second-seeded player.
Belmonte is a five-time PBA title winner who is seeking his first major championship.
Rounding out the five-man competition will be Finnish native Mika Koivuniemi of Hartland, Mich.
ESPN will televise Sunday’s competition live beginning at noon.
Belmonte placed second in the PBA World Championship in the 2012-13 season when he lost to Bohn in the championship match, 254-227. And a year ago, Belmonte was third in the U.S. Open.
Malott is the third seed after winning the four-player final elimination match with a 773 series. Bohn was second with 732 and Koivuniemi was third with a 704.
The PBA League action will resume next Sunday on ESPN.
The X is seventh among eight teams in the Elias Cup points standings with 11. The Silver Lake (Calif.) Atom Splitters, with 13 points, are sixth. The Atom Splitters, however, have already qualified for next Sunday’s stepladder finals.
The New York City WTT Kingpins are first with 32 points.
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