Aldan reclaims Prince of the Lanes plum

M.J. Aldan is back on top, ruling the August Fiji Water Prince/Princess of the Lanes Tournament last Sunday at the Saipan Bowling Center.

Aldan, who ruled the first four monthly roll-off of the Saipan Bowling Association-sanctioned event, but lost the next three to Marion McKenzie, regained his winning form last weekend to snap his rival’s streak. Aldan carded a four-game total of 706 pinfalls against McKenzie’s 657.

A strong start boosted Aldan’s chances to reclaim the crown, as he tallied 200 pinfalls in Game 1. He then knocked down 150 and 170 pins in the next two games and had a decent finish in Game 4 with 186 pinfalls for an average of 176.50 per game. McKenzie’s highest score was in Game 3 with his 177 and adding his 160 and 166 in Games 1 and 3, he moved within seven pinfalls behind Aldan, 513-520, with one game left. However, McKenzie fell short, as he logged only 144 pinfalls in the deciding Game 4 and averaged 164.25

John Taisacan completed the Top 3 with his 531 and average of 132.75. Three others youth keglers joined the August roll-off with Marcel McKenzie placing fourth with his 481 pinfalls, followed by Ryan Batac (456), and Greg Sablan (455).
[B] Cal, Talavera win[/B]

In the Budweiser King and Queen of the Lanes, Robert Talavera and Ron Cal notched their third monthly win.

Talavera joined Day 2 of the two-day roll-off and recorded 839 pinflls last Sunday to win the August title. He leaned on three 200-plus pinfall outputs to surpass Day 1 leader Ruselle Zapanta (773). Zapanta settled for third place, as Percy Omechelang grabbed the runner-up honor with his 797 pinfalls in Day 2.

Keglers in the adults competition have the option to bowl in one or both days, but only the higher score is counted.

In the second and final day of the roll-off, Talavera posted 212, 211, and 227 in Games 1, 3, and 4, repectively, and adding his 189 in Game 2, he ended up with an average of 209.75. He was the lone bowler in the field of 24 players to average at least 200 pinfalls per game. Omechelang and Zapanta averaged 199.25 and 193.25 pinfalls, respectively.

In the Queen of the Lanes, Cal also competed in the last day and tallied 688 in four games to win over 10 other female keglers. Cal nailed 158, 186, 178, and 166 in Games 1 to 4 for an average of 172 pinfalls.

Rounding out the Top 3 were Gigi Zapanta (649), and Gloria Omechelang (641), who had their higher scores also in Day 2 of the tournament. Day 1 leader Tess Fabia (629) dropped to fourth place.

Last Sunday was the third time Cal and Talavera paired for a win. They won in the February and June roll-offs.