Tough competition awaits NMI teams

The CNMI delegation heading to Guam for the 20th Asian Intercity Bowling Championship will be up against tough competition, as the group will face topnotch bowlers from around the region.

So far, 15 other cities will be represented with teams in the competition, which will be held from Nov. 7 to Nov. 15 at the Central Lanes Bowling Center.

Organizers of the event recently released the list of confirmed teams as Korea will be represented by teams from Daegu, Uiwang, Pohang, and Busan; the Philippines will be represented by Pasay, Paranaque, and Antipolo; Taiwan will be represented by Taipei and Kaoshiung; Hong Kong will be represented by Hong Kong Island, Victoria, and Kowloon; and Guam will be represented by Tamuning, Hagatna, and Dededo.

As reported earlier, the CNMI will be represented by the Saipan Men’s Team, Saipan Women’s Team, and Capital Hill Team.

Making up the Saipan Men’s Team are Richard Leong, Kitz Barja, Raymond Zapanta, and Simon Manacop. Barja, Zapanta, and Manacop each have experience bowling in the competition, while Leong will be making his debut.

The Saipan Women’s Team comprises of the Top 3 CNMI female bowlers in Ron Cal, Emi Williams, and Gloria Omechalang, as well as top junior player Jerrie Vales.

For their part, youth bowlers Raymond Angeles, Tony Cruz, and Jeremy Williams join Chester Bai in the Capital Hill Team. The event will be the first off-island competition for Cruz, Williams, and Bai, while Angeles has competed in the AIBC in the past.

The players will engage in the weeklong contest, vying for supremacy in singles, doubles, team of four, all events, and masters finals competition.

According to team manager Ross Zapanta, this year’s delegation is the best prepared compared to delegations sent in previous years.

“We’re hoping they’ll do well because they had two months to really prepare for it,” he said. “I think this is the most prepared team compared to teams we’ve sent before.”

All bowlers have also been active with practice and tournaments throughout the year, and with full-time coach Sarah Yap’s assistance, should put on a good show.

Zapanta added that with the CNMI delegation comprising of five youth bowlers in Raymond Zapanta, Angeles, Jeremy Williams, Cruz, and Vales, the stage is being set for future competitions.

“They’re young and getting this kind of exposure, and this is good for them to grow and develop,” he said.

Zapanta said the delegation is really looking forward to the competition, and has been waiting for the date for quite some time now.

“The team is very eager to go, especially the new ones. They’re very excited,” he said.

He explained that it will be just the second time the CNMI will be represented in the women’s competition.

“The ladies are very excited and this is just the second time we’re going to have a women’s team. The only time we sent a team was to Korea, but Guam is very close and that was good for us because before, we would send just eight bowlers on two teams, but now we’re sending 12 for three teams,” he said.

When asked who he picks as the favorites for the competition, Zapanta quickly pointed out the Paranaque team from the Philippines, and the teams from Korea.

Paranaque usually comprises of members of Philippine National Team, so I think they’re going to be really tough to beat,” he said.