Bowling’s battle of the sexes

Wednesday, Dec. 9, 1998 | 3:18 a.m.

Walter Ray Williams readily admits he is feeling pressure to beat Carol Gianotti-Block in bowling's version of the "Battle of the Sexes" Thursday afternoon at The Orleans Bowling Center.

Williams, on the verge of winning his third consecutive Professional Bowlers Association Bowler of the Year award, will take on Gianotti-Block at 4 p.m. in the Philip Morris Showdown, a three-game, winner-take-all match for $30,000.

Having won the Showdown the past two years, defeating Henderson's Wendy Macpherson both times, Williams said it is only a matter of time before the Professional Women's Bowlers Association representative beats her male counterpart.

And Williams doesn't want to make bowling history.

"I would say there is a little bit more pressure for me," Williams said. "If Carol were to beat me -- which is definitely possible -- the ladies would definitely have some bragging rights over the men.

"I don't want to be the start of that. It's possible that the ladies can beat the guys."

Gianotti-Block heartily agreed with Williams, and said she intends to be the woman to earn the first victory for the PWBA in the annual Showdown.

"Yeah, I'm going to beat him," Gianotti-Block said with a laugh. "I'm ready. I'm going to beat him for the women.

"I know Walter's a great bowler and I've got a lot of respect for him ... and I know he has won it the past couple of years, but I'm looking forward to beating him this year."

While the three-game match would seem to favor the men, who routinely post higher scoring averages than the ladies, both Williams and Gianotti-Block said there are no advantages in this match.

"The three-game match means you have to get off to a good start," Gianotti- Block said. "Because of that, I don't think anyone has the advantage."

Williams: "I think over the long run the men might out-average the women, but in a three game match ... you gotta do what you gotta do because they can definitely throw some strikes."

Williams and Gianotti-Block qualified for the Philip Morris Showdown by finishing as the top-ranked bowler on their respective tours in 1998.

The two then will be paired as the No.1-ranked team in the $200,000 Philip Morris Mixed Doubles on Saturday and Sunday at The Orleans Bowling Center.

Williams has won five titles this year and leads the PBA Tour in earnings and scoring average. Gianotti-Block has two PWBA Tour victories and is the defending champion in the Mixed Doubles event, having won the title last year with Tim Criss.

The Philip Morris Showdown and Mixed Doubles represent the season-ending event for both the PBA and PWBA tours.