Mario Quintero Wins First PBA50 Title at 2024 World Championship

Bowling fans are well-acquainted with the energetic and passionate Arturo Quintero, a standout on the PBA Tour. However, at the 2024 PBA50 World Series of Bowling II, it was his older brother, Mario Quintero, who quietly stole the spotlight, clinching his first major title at the PBA50 World Championship.

A Historic Victory for Mario Quintero

Mario Quintero, a 10-time Team Mexico member and gold medalist at the 2023 IBF World Senior Championships, proved his dominance on the lanes. Throughout the PBA50 World Series of Bowling, he consistently performed at a high level, making the cut in every event, a feat achieved by only two other competitors.

Heading into the stepladder finals as the No. 1 seed, Quintero faced Brad Angelo in the championship match. Despite a shaky start, he showcased his resilience by stringing together four consecutive strikes, securing a commanding 228-180victory. The win earned him $25,000, tying the record for the highest prize in PBA50 Tour history.

A Nerve-Wracking Championship Match

Quintero opted to have Brad Angelo start the match. Angelo, playing from the far right, opened with a strike and two single-pin spares. Quintero responded with a spare, followed by a double. However, a miscalculated shot in the fourth frame left him with a 1-2-4-6-10 washout, which he failed to convert, leaving an open frame.

Despite the setback, Quintero regrouped and delivered four consecutive strikes, putting the pressure back on Angelo. In contrast, Angelo struggled with consistency, leaving a stone-9 in the eighth frame and joking with a child in the audience, “That’s how I feel,” after hearing the young fan’s disappointment.

Needing only a mark in the ninth frame, Quintero confidently struck to seal the win. His final score of 228 easily outmatched Angelo’s 180, making Quintero the new PBA50 World Champion.

“I am so happy,” Quintero said through an interpreter. “I was so nervous bowling with the best in the world. I focused on my game, didn’t think about the player I was against—just making shots.”

A Remarkable Journey in the PBA50 Tour

Quintero’s rise to success in the PBA50 Tour has been swift. Earlier this season, he debuted at the Bud Moore Players Championship, finishing 30th. Learning from that experience, he improved significantly in subsequent events, finishing 9th in the Ballard Championship, 13th in the Monacelli Championship, and 7th in the Petraglia Championship.

With $29,500 in earnings across five events, he has now qualified for the PBA50 Tournament of Champions, which begins August 12 at the historic AMF Riviera Lanes.

“I think I will go,” Quintero said with a smile.

Other Notable Performances at the PBA50 World Championship

The stepladder finals featured intense matchups, beginning with defending champion Chris Barnes defeating Brian Dennis 245-206. Barnes then edged out Mika Koivuniemi 217-215 before falling to Brad Angelo, who posted an impressive 257-223 victory.

Final Standings – PBA50 World Championship

🥇 Mario Quintero – $25,000
🥈 Brad Angelo – $13,000
🥉 Chris Barnes – $7,000
4️⃣ Mika Koivuniemi – $6,000
5️⃣ Brian Dennis – $5,000

Match Scores:

• Match 1: Barnes def. Dennis 245-206
• Match 2: Barnes def. Koivuniemi 217-215
• Match 3: Angelo def. Barnes 257-223
• Championship Match: Quintero def. Angelo 228-180

What’s Next for Quintero?

The new PBA50 World Champion won’t have much time to celebrate his victory with his wife, Mariana, in Mexico City just yet. He is set to compete in the PBA/PBA50/PWBA Jonesboro Trios event starting Thursday, followed by the PBA50 South Shore Classic on August 6.

When asked about his younger brother Arturo, Mario playfully admitted:

“My brother is crazy. I think he is better,” he laughed. “I have to respect Arturo because he is my mother’s favorite, so I have to let him beat me sometimes.”

Arturo, who watched his brother’s victory, shared his excitement:

“We are very proud and very happy,” he said. “This will encourage a lot of people to follow their dreams.”

With his first PBA50 major title in hand, Mario Quintero has cemented his place as a top competitor on the senior circuit, and his journey is only beginning.