Even the most powerful bowler on the PBA Tour couldn't fight off a severe cold. The collar of his shirt soaked in sweat all day, American Robert Smith at least found some relief at the Tokyo Port Bowl alleys Sunday: A Japan Cup title and a 5 million yen paycheck.
"I had a sore throat, ear infection, headache. I had no sleep at all (Saturday night). I can barely talk," said Smith, after barely defeating compatriot Chris Barnes 224-222 in a last-frame showdown in the final. "This win definitely makes it easier to deal with."
It was the first Japan Cup appearance for Smith, the 28-year-old who also became the youngest man to take the tournament crown. As the No. 2 seed in the six-man finals, Smith bowled only twice Sunday -- against the winner of the lower seeds and then against No. 1 seed Barnes immediately after that.