Back-to-back for Camacho; Zapanta triumphs in May Masters

Ruselle Zapanta, fourth left, and Janice Camacho, fifth left, pose for a photo with other winners in the 36th CNMI-SBC May Masters Tournament during the awards ceremony at the Nami Bar of Kanoa Resort last Sunday. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Janice Camacho had a repeat in the women’s division, while Ruselle Zapanta topped the men’s field in the 36th CNMI-SBC May Masters Tournament held over the weekend at the Saipan Bowling Center.

Camacho ruled anew her category after collecting 1,985 pins in 12 games for an average of 165.42. She prevailed again against last year’s runner-up Diana Camacho (1,966 total and 163.83 average), while another veteran bowler Elena Soll (1,954) and Georgia Satoshi (1,952) rounded out the Top 4, which took home cash prizes last Sunday during the awards ceremony at the Nami Bar of Kanoa Resort. The Top 3 in the women’s category that drew 13 other bowlers, also received trophies.

Janice, who defeated Diana by 67 pins last year, 2,070-2,003, secured the win after recording 160 pins in Game 2 against the 126 of Diana. Janice had her best performance in Game 2 after earning 200 pins, while her scores in 10 other games were 159, 153, 182, 191, 152, 139, 143, 122, 193, and 191. Diana settled for another runner-up finish after she slowed down in the last three games, posting 188, 148, and 126 to average 163.83. Soll registered her best score in Game 9 (202), but had an up and down performance in the first eight games. Satoshi’s highest score, on the other hand, was 191 in Game 6.

In the men’s division, Zapanta posted at least 200 pins in six games for a field-best 2,386 total and average of 198.83. He started the tournament with a 191, had three straight 200 and plus (201, 203, and 200) and did the same in Games 9 to 11 (227, 235, and 212). Zapanta then tallied 185 and 179 in the last two games, while his other scores were 191, 188, and 173 (Games 5 to 7).

Simon Manacop placed second, moving up a few notches higher in the ranking after his 206 and 204 in the last two games. He recorded the best single game score in the tournament with his 245 in Game 9 and collected 2,337 pins for an average of 194.75.

Completing the Top 5 in the men’s field and getting cash prizes at the Budweiser and SBC-sponsored tournament were Raul Dumapit (2,253), Robert Talavera (2,252), and Rusty Musca (2, 241). Twelve other bowlers competed in the men’s division, including Guam’s JD Castro and last year’s winner Aaron Elliot. Castro was ranked ninth with his 2,143 pins, while Elliot landed at No. 11 after posting 2,080.