Saipan Billiards awards champions

Saipan Billiards Association feted champions of its Winter/Spring Season yesterday at Pacific Islands Club’s Charley’s Cabaret even as it awarded most valuable players to a couple of players each from the Tapochao and Banzai divisions.

One by one members of Da Place Sure Shots and VFW Fotten Gaga II were called up the stage and given their individual championship trophies before organizers, led by Vivien Elloraza, handed the Tapochao Division championship hardware to Sure Shots and Fotten Gaga II got their’s from the Banzai Division.

Team captain R.J. Mascarinas spoke for Da Place, which is also made up of Jojo Talibong, Luis Fajardo, Senen Pangilinan, Roman Rodriguez, and Frank Pangelinan.

“Our secret was constant practice and coordination of the group. We also tried to enjoy the league as much as possible. When Round Two [Hustlers] gained on us, we just improved our game and made sure that we are always complete in every match. We also practiced a lot,” he said.

The Micronesian Brokers, Inc. employee also thanked organizers, Saipan Billiards Association and MARPAC, as well as the team’s sponsor Da Place Sports Bar. He also gave kudos to all the players of the Tapochao and Banzai divisions for participating in the competition.

Sure Shots topped the expert category of the pool league with a 48-14 record, followed by Round Two Hustlers (44-28), USSP Dreams (30-42), and USSP Fotten Palau (22-50).

For his part, Fotten Gaga II team captain Bern Ikeda said their victory was a total team effort and thanked USS Peleliu Club owner Rose Phillips, who loaned the team to VFW Post 3457, for allowing them to practice every night at the Garapan sports bar and thanked VFW for sponsoring the team.

Phillips, for her part, said she is proud of the group and she’s happy that the team achieved its goal this season. She, however, said she is happy Fotten Gaga II will back in the familiar confines of USSP Club next season.

The Fotten Gaga II crew also includes Edward Suzuki, Ron Chisato, Gary Chisato, and Marvin Baulechong.

Fotten Gaga II finished the season with a 38-22 mark and edged Godfather’s What Doin (37-23) and Wild Wild West (34-26) in the final evening of the competition. Jewel Night Shooters (30-30), VFW Pool Warriors (18-36), and Vargas Hot Shots (17-37) make up the rest of the teams in the division.

In the MVP race, Hustlers main man Jerry Soriano and Sure Shots ace Jojo Talibong finished tied with 16 victories each and both took home most valuable players awards. What Doin teammates Diamond Aldan and Sam Babauta, meanwhile, shared the plum in the Banzai Division after earning 15 wins apiece.

The sportsmanship award went to Wild Wild West and USSP Fotten Palau.

Saipan Billiards Association also awarded the champions for the Budweiser Cup with Round Two Hustlers finally getting the better of Sure Shots to take home side event crown in the Tapochao Division, while Fotten Gaga II made it two for two by winning the Banzai Division once again.