Youth bowlers lead way for NMI

Youth bowlers Raymond Angeles and Jerrie Vales are currently leading the way for the CNMI delegation in the 20th Asian Intercity Bowling Championship on Guam.

The 12 Saipan players competed in singles competition on Tuesday, and after each rolled off six games, Angeles was the top male and Vales the top female from the CNMI.

Suiting up for the Capital Hill Team, Angeles managed to knock down a total of 1,162 pins in his six games for an average of 193.67 pins per game. He started out with a decent 183 pins in his opener, and after cooling for 177 pins, was able to heat up and sizzle for 202, 203, and 205 pins before closing with 192 pins. With his performance, Angeles finished the singles competition in 29th place out of 67 bowlers.

For her part, Vales, who recently moved out of the youth competitions to compete in events against adults in the local scene, finished in 21st place out of 31 female bowlers. The rising star got off to a cold start with 131 pins in her first game, but recovered quickly as she followed up with 199 pins in her second game. She then bruised 148 and 177 pins before closing with 172 pins in each of the final two games.

With that, Vales finished the singles competition with an average of 166.83 pins per game.

Fellow Saipan Women’s Team member Emi Williams placed 22nd with 989 pins, knocking down 157, 180, and 161 pins in her first three games and closing with 187, 136, and 168 pins for an average of 164.83.

In 24th was Ron Cal with 947 pins as she knocked down 166, 149, 147, 174, 155, and 156 pins in her six games. She averaged 157.83 pins per outing.

Gloria Omechelang placed 30th with an average of 135.33 pins per game as she knocked down a total of 812 pins. She was able to leave her mark on 147, 156, 142, 119, 125, and 123 pins in the six games.

The women’s singles was won by Liza Clutario of Paranaque, Philippines with 1,280 pins. She averaged 213.33 pins per game. Second place went to Katherine Lau of Hong Kong with 1,219 pins, while third place was Sylvia Kong of Hong Kong with 1,206 pins.

In the men’s corner, Simon Manacop of Team Saipan was able to place 33rd with 1,142 pins. The law enforcement officer got off to a rocket start with scores of 203 in his first two games. He then knocked down 160 and 182 pins in his next two, and followed up with 203 and 191 pins to finish with an average of 190.33 pins per game.

Team Saipan southpaw Richard Leong placed 41st with 1,118 pins. After a slow start with 161 pins, Leong broke into a zone of his own for 258 pins in his second game. He cooled off and finished off with 190, 148, 179, and 182 pins for an average of 186.33 pins per game.

Raymond Zapanta and Kitz Barja of Team Saipan placed 49th and 51st. Zapanta finished with 1,084 pins, hitting 174, 183, 167, 172, and 194 in his final two games to average 180.67 pins per game. Barja finished with 1,075 and an average of 179.17 pins per game. He dropped 187, 169, 200, 229, 143, and 147 in the six games.

For their part, Capital Hill Team members Jeremy Williams placed 58th, Chester Bai placed 66th, and Tony Cruz 67th. Williams knocked down a total of 1,024 pins, Bai bruised 975 pins, and Cruz connected on 947 pins.

The men’s singles winner was Sixto Sengson of Antipolo, Philippines as he knocked down 1,343 pins and averaged 223.83 pins per game. Second place went to Min Hoo Yoon of Dae Gu, Korea with 1,319 pins, while third place went to Keith Guerrero of Tamuning, Guam with 1,318 pins.

The doubles competition was held yesterday, however, results were not available as of press time. The players will engage in team competition today, and the masters competition will be held on Friday and Saturday.

The CNMI delegation is up against 15 other cities in the competition, which is being held at the Central Lanes Bowling Center.

Korea is represented by teams from Dae Gu, Uiwang, Pohang, and Busan; the Philippines is represented by Pasay, Paranaque, and Antipolo; Taiwan is represented by Taipei and Kaoshiung; Hong Kong is represented by Hong Kong Island, Victoria, and Kowloon; and Guam is represented by Tamuning, Hagatna, and Dededo.