KHOBAR - The frustration has ended for Al-Mana Hospital Los Darteros as it finally tasted victories at the start of the second round in the continuation of Hempel Dart Cup ‘08 here. The Los Darteros capitalized on misfires and poor plays of the Afico Striker-4 in hanging on for its first ever win with the score of 9-5 then followed it up with a scintillating win against another Afico team Striker-3 in a decision game 9-8 for its second win. The presence of top darter Bernie Arciga, who was put on the reserve list by Al-Mana prior to his annual leave a few days before the start of the tournament, might have been the factor that affected the plays of the typically steady Striker teams. Arciga, EPDA's current singles champion in the premier division, has shown no rust in going undefeated on his initial four matches and recording his first 16-dart out finish that powered the Los Darteros to its first win in 9 outings. Teammates Jeff Villanueva, Dino Andrada and John Gutierrez provided ample support with 2-1, 2-2 and 1-0 records respectively while Striker-4 Willy ‘El Presidente' de Vera had his finest game with 3-1 and hit his first T80 of the tournament. But without the help from teammates there was no way to be successful in this tough team competition. Al-Mana's second win against Afico Striker-3 was equally inspiring as it had just brought down the current No.2 in the standing. Arciga stayed undefeated duplicating his 4-0 slate that went with another record of 15-darts out finish but it was Gutierrez who bailed it out in the decision four-man team event by hitting the all important shot on the double-four (D4) for the win thus withstood the outstanding plays of Striker-3's top two players in Mel Ponce and Jommel Laynesa who recorded 3-1 with Ponce hitting his first T80 in this match. Hempel's Dart Vaders-1 halted its losing streak at five by winning against over its sister team Dart Vaders-2 at 9-5. Dart Vaders-1 top darter lefty Agaton Espiritu finally showed its true form by winning all his four matches with enough support from teammates Noel Marte Dizon and Nath Ramilo with 3-1 and& 2-1 records respectively. On the losing side reserve player Marvin Tadeo played outstanding with 3-1 slate while the rest of his teammates had a forgettable performance. Afico Striker-2 improved its winning streak to seven by sinking the Bulleros with a 9-5 win. Striker's Chris Calalo led the balance attack with his 3-0 while teammates Gary Terso 2-1, Nonoy Coraza and Gary Tolentino, both with 2-2, rounded up the score. Bulleros' main man Mario Lorenzo recorded his first T80 that led to his spectacular 16-dart out finish in trouncing Terso while the latter rebounded with his own 18-dart out finish in winning versus Bulleros' Rico Guzman after that loss. Afico Striker-3 halted the winning run of JAL Arrows with a hard earned 9-7 score. Striker-3's Ponce and Laynesa had a normal steady games putting up 3-1 and 2-2 respectively but it was Abel Fari?as who made the big factor by going 3-1 highlighted with his surprise win over Arrows' gunner Jerry Roldan. However it was Ponce's win on the 16th and final match against Arrows' Greg Perias that sealed it the victory as he prevented the game from going to decision team matchplays. Laynesa recorded his first T80 while Roldan hit his second T80 in this game. Hempel's Dart Vaders-2 trounced Afico Striker-1 9-4 behind the exceptional plays of Danny Mata (3-0) and Marvin Tadeo (4-0) who took the slot vacated by mainstay Pong de Dios who is presently on annual leave. Other results: Afico Striker-1 upended Al-Mana Los Darteros (9-7); JAL Arrows won twice beating Afico Striker-1 (9-7) and Al-Mana Los Darteros (9-5); Afico Striker-2 outlasted Afico Striker-4 (9-8) via decision game and Afico Striker-3 out steadied Afico Striker-1 (9
