Each year, the PBA and PWBA tours collide to create a spectacular bowling event that can’t be missed: the Storm PBA/PWBA Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles.

This year’s event takes place July 27-29 at Copperfield Bowl in Houston and will be broadcast live on FloBowling. To help get you ready for the event, we’ve put together our Top 5 ranking of the teams in the field. Given the level of talent this year, it wasn’t easy. 

Click here to watch the 2018 STORM PBA/PWBA Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles LIVE on FloBowling!

1. Shannon O’Keefe and Bill O’Neill

Coming up with a Top 5 wasn’t easy, but deciding who was going to be ranked No. 1? That was easy. O’Keefe and O’Neill have bowled this event together four times and have won it three of those years – 2013, 2015 and 2016. After a disappointing 36th place finish last year, they will look to rebound.

2. Shannon Pluhowsky and Tommy Jones

Pluhowsky, a lefty, and Jones have had tremendous success over the years in this event. They have joined forces to win a record four times – 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011. The two long-time Team USA members and professional bowlers will look to remind the field this year of that track record of success.

3. Diandra Asbaty and Jason Belmonte

These two long-time friends have come so close to winning the past two years. Last year, Belmonte and Asbaty finished runner-up by 50 pins, while in 2016, they were the runners-up by just 42 pins. Although Asbaty doesn’t compete full time on the PWBA Tour, she has had tremendous success in her career, mostly internationally. This pair is always one to watch.

4. Liz Johnson and EJ Tackett

Talk about a contrast in styles – Johnson with her lower rev game but deadly accuracy paired with the high rev Tackett. Both of these players have the versatility to adapt to the lane conditions, which makes them a formidable pair. 

5. Birgit Poppler and Jason Sterner

The defending champs are back again to try to capture the same magic they created last year. They only bowled together last year because Sterner’s partner, Cassandra Leuthold, had to bow out due to injury. He got connected with Poppler and the rest is history. Time will tell if this pair has the chemistry to create long-term success.

Honorable mention (in no particular order): Bryanna Cote/Stuart Williams; Missy Parkin/Sean Rash; Josie Barnes/Chris Barnes; Verity Crawley/Wes Malott; Danielle McEwan/Chris Via