First is a crushing defeat from perennial Class A contender Team 297.
Then a closer but another losing contest from one-time Class A champion Team 228.
And a final send-off from Team 263 who is also of the Class A genre.
But perennial Class D dweller Team 373 --- anchored this time by its CLSU-Munoz Squad ---don't mind at all as Day 2 of the 2014 Bowling Games concluded with 3 straight losses.
After all, everybody was able to play although it was the first bowling experience for most members of the team.
And it helps that the Lodge's Temple Builders was able to bring home 2 wins [and 2 loses too] against Bro. Virgilio Santos's Team Forty at the Acropolis Basketball Gym in Cabanatuan City earlier in the day.
Add to that the sumptuous lunch tendered by District Deputy Grand Master Bro. Jerome Malaca for the incumbent Masters of all Lodges within Masonic District RIII-D before the 2014 Bowling Games resumed.
Overall, it was a good day...
Not in the violent manner but rather a friendly hustle among brothers with a result that made everybody happy.
And so it was that the Temple Builders of Model Lodge met the Pantabangan Masons of Pantabangan-Bonari Lodge in a friendly contest that was officially the team's first competitive game.
For the Temple Builders, the game was more of an assessment of what it has.
And it was a revelation as the Mountain Man emerged from Bro. Dean Barry Lao who dominated inside while Bro. Reynald Martin fired one triple after another as Bros. Jojit Floro and Angelito Dela Cruz dazzled with their plays and Bro. Ernesto Jimenez provided additional power inside.
The bench also proved its worth as able relief came from Bros. Shubert Ciencia, Virgilio Santos, Robert Bulanadi, Kristian Ronald Sioson, and Marciano Dela Cruz.
The game was close with several lead changes but it was the pulsating last 16 seconds that electrified the Municipal Gym as the Temple Builders, with a lot of help from the fresh legs of guest player Bro. Rhomel Martinez, overcame a 4-point lead to tie the game.
And that was the final score because after all, nobody loses in a game between brothers.
The Lodge is grateful to Bro. Vincent Uera --- the incumbent Master of Pantabangan-Bonari Lodge No. 203 --- for the warm accommodation, excellent arrangements, and the superb lunch he hosted at his residence; and to Bro. Anthony Reyes who with Bros. Jonathan Requintel and Don King Barcelo served as the game coordinator in behalf of the Lodge.
The First Team of the Temple Builders, the Lodge's official basketball team, was officially presented during a couple of friendly games at the Bacal 2 Gym in Talavera, Nueva Ecija.
Bros. Shubert Ciencia, Jojit Floro, Nathaniel Elegado, Virgilio Santos, Lino Carandang Jr., Angelito Dela Cruz, Reynald Martin, James Mata, Kristian Ronald Sioson, and Roberto Bulandi played with enthusiasm but lost both games, 15-10 and 15-12, as the Temple Builders yielded to a much younger and well-prepared opponent.
During the soft launching, Bros. Wilfredo Pagay and Marionito Guerrero were designated as the team's interim coach and manager, respectively, with Bros. Jose Matutino Jr. and Aquilino Valino Jr. as consultants.
The Temple Builders is the third of a 4-part Lodge sports and wellness program after the 373 Bikers and the 373/55 Tennis Club, and an integral stage of the effort to diversify the Lodge's form of fellowship.
It is also envisioned to be the Lodge's Ambassador-at-Large and plans to hold friendly games with other interested Lodges within the District.
But before that, a couple more of practice games will be held in Cabanatuan City to shake more of the rust and prepare for the long haul ahead.
