Upset in Prince of the Lanes finale

John Taisacan stunned not only one, but two favored opponents to reign supreme in the season-ending 2011 Saipan Bowling Association-Fiji Water Prince/Princess of the Lanes Tournament last Sunday at the Capitol Bowling Center.

Taisacan, who won only one monthly roll-off in 2011 (November), eked out surprise victories in the stepladder finals over M.J. Aldan and Marion McKenzie, who were picked to duke it out for the 2011 title after claiming multiple monthly plums last year. McKenzie prevailed in the monthly roll-off from May to July, October, and December, while Aldan ruled the event from January to April, August, and September.

The three youth keglers advanced to the stepladder finals after placing in the Top 3 in he six-game elimination round. McKenzie topped the qualifier with his 932 pinfalls, built on his 154, 223, and 129 in the first three games and 150, 134, and 142 in the last three for a 155.33 average. Aldan came in next with a six-game total of 854 pinfalls and average of 140.83. Aldan had his best showing in Game 1, knocking down 157 pins and then recorded 116, 142, 140, 146, and 144 in the last five games.

Taisacan was the last bowler to secure a ticket in the stepladder finals after collecting 825 pinfalls in six games. He recorded 140-plus pinfalls in the first four games (140, 143, 140, and 147) and closed out the qualifier with 134 and 121 pinfalls in Games 5 and 6 for an average of 137.50 pinfalls.

With Taisacan placing only third in the qualifier, he had to play in the first round of the playoffs against Aldan, while McKenzie gained an outright championship berth. Taisacan went on to pull off a nail-biter against the highly-favored Aldan, 152-151, to march into the championship round against McKenzie.

In the finals, McKenzie needed to win only once to stop Taisacan’s upset bid. However, the underdog bowler continued his strong showing and eked out another thriller, 213-212, to send the finals to a deciding Game 2. Taisacan then rode on the momentum he gained in Game 1 to notch a convincing 191-162 win and dethrone McKenzie, who won the 2010 title against Aldan.

In the finals, Taisacan had a two-game total of 404 pinfalls, while McKenzie had only 374 to settle for the bridesmaid finish this time. Aldan dropped to third, failing to take the championship for the third straight year.

Two other bowlers joined the season-ending event for U18 keglers. Marion’s younger brother, Marcel placed fourth in the qualifier with his six-game total of 703 pinfalls and average of 117.17, while Ryan Batac came in last with 671 and average of 111.83.