Sweet December for Santos

John Santos definitely made it to Santa’s nice list this Christmas after winning the December edition of the 2004 Pepsi King of the Lanes Tenpin Bowling Tournament that concluded Monday at the Capitol Bowling Center.

The Department of Public Safety detective was Mr. Consistency on the second day of competition at the Garapan bowling venue, knocking down in excess of 200 pins in the four-game series.

Santos rolled a 215 in his first time out at the wood and maple lanes and then bowled a high 243 in his second. He didn’t miss a beat in his third game, coming up with a 216 before bowing out strong with a 213.He finished with 887 pinfalls or a whopping average of 221.75 for the tournament.

“I really felt confident tonight. This win is very special, this being after Christmas and all. I would like to dedicate my victory to my one and only sweetheart, Vicky,” he said.

Santos was a member of the Saipan team that took part in the 18th Asian Intercity Tenpin Bowling Championships held in Shah Alam, Malaysia a few months ago and also won the monthly Saipan Bowling Association-organized event last June.

Finishing a distant second to Santos in the December tilt was Paul Pangelinan, who fell “only” 63 pins short of Santos’ total with 824 pinfalls (206 average). Pangelinan rolled a series of 194, 214, 220, and 196 Monday.

Simon Manacop, who also has won twice this year, came in third place despite three straight terrific games Monday.

He opened up with a 223 and then followed that up with a 206. The DPS officer put himself in a position to challenge Santos with a 214 in the third game but saw his chances go out the window with a poor 164 in his final game. Manacop wound up with a four-game total of 807 or 201.75 pinfall norm.

Santos earned $150 for his victory, while Pangelinan and Manacop took home $70 and $40, respectively.

Raul Dumapit and Joe Sablan close out the Top 5 of the monthly competition sponsored by Pacific Trading Co. First-day leader Dumapit knocked down 801 pins (200.25 average) on Sunday on the strength of his 184, 268, 166, 183 series. Sablan, meanwhile, notched a 784 total (196 average) after rolling a 223, 169, 193, 199 Monday. Dumapit and Sablan won $35 and $30 for finishing fourth and fifth place, respectively.

The rest of the Top 10, with their scores in parenthesis, are as follows: Mark Halstead (771, $25); Celso Agui, Jr. (767, $20); Ronald Epan (765, $15); Richard Leong (760); and Mike Guirey (755).

The December Pepsi King of the Lanes event attracted a total of 75 entries. The monthly bowling competition culminates with a season-ending championship tournament next month.