Local bowlers to duke it out with region’s best

The two teams that will represent the CNMI in the 10th Asian Intercity Bowling Championships in Shah Alam, Malaysia have vowed to do their best in the regional tenpin competition.

Mark “The Shark” Halstead of the Saipan Team, for instance, said that he will try everything in his power to once again qualify for the master event of the competition.

“No less than qualifying again for the masters is my goal for this year. After getting a taste of the competition last year, I’m fairly confident I could come up with a better showing this time.”

The 39-year-old boat captain is as motivated as ever since he is expected to tie the knot with his long-time fiancée shortly after arriving from Shah Alam. Halstead brings with him a 198 average to Malaysia. He is also a veteran of many off-island competitions.

Teammate John Santos, for his part, is just happy to be back into competitive bowling after quitting the sport several years ago. A 180-plus average bowler, the 37-year-old Department of Public Safety detective wants to make his home islands proud by bowling a good score in Shah Alam.

Brothers Joe and Frank Sablan, for their part, said their and their teammates’ performance in the tournament would hinge largely on the conditions of the lanes.

Joe said both CNMI teams have a pretty good chance at bagging a medal but noted that it all depends on how quickly they all adjust to the lanes. Frank agrees with his brother but didn’t hesitate that, “all of the members of the team will play do the best of their abilities.”

Joe is a retired Emergency Management Office employee. His pinfall average hovers around the 175-180 mark. A captain in the immigration department, Frank says his average is the same as Joe’s.

Dannie Robles, the most seasoned of the pin-busters of the Capitol Hill team, said his goal is to make it all the way to the masters. The 47-year-old lefty boasts of an average of 186.

Like Robles, teammate and Saipan Bowling Center employee Robert Talavera is also eyeing a masters stint. The 35-year-old righthander has been bowling for a dozen years and has an average of 188.

Simon Manacop, another bowler who works for DPS, said he wants to play better and hopefully get a medal after the tournament is through. Manacop has been to more than eight off-island competitions and is good for 185 pinfalls night in and night out.

Last but not the least, Mike Guirey said he just hopes he won’t make a fool of himself in his very first off-island competition. Guirey is one of the emerging players in the local bowling scene and boasts of a 188 average.

Joining the team in Sham Alam are delegation head Jerry Tan and team manager Ross Zapanta.

The 10-man CNMI delegation left Saipan Friday and will begin competition in the singles division tomorrow, Sept. 29.