All roads lead to Saipan Super Bowl parties

Football fans on Saipan watched “Elite” Eli Manning lead the New York Giants to a come-from-behind win against the New England Patriots, 21-17, in yesterday’s Super Bowl XLVI.

Manning won his second Super Bowl trophy and MVP honors in five seasons, besting older brother Peyton and rival Tom Brady and proving that the Giants’ victory in 2008 was no fluke.

It was the ending that Jeff Boyer hoped for.

“I went for the underdogs. Tom Brady is NFL’s Golden Boy, while people seemed to underestimate Eli Manning and his Giants, so I’d like them to win,” said the IP&E country manager.

Boyer and his wife, Vinycia, spent their lunch break watching yesterday’s Super Bowl at Hard Rock Café and said it was all worth it as they witnessed a very thrilling game.

The Giants were behind, 15-17, with 3:46 left, when Manning threw an 88-yard pass en route to Ahmad Bradshaw’s 6-yard touchdown run that put New York in the lead, 21-17.

“It was the kind of game (close one) that you would want to see every time you watch the Super Bowl,” Boyer added.

Super Bowl dayoff

While the Boyers spent only about an hour watching the Pats-Giants rematch, other football fans reserved the entire day for Super Bowl.

“I took an off from work just to watch the game,” said Richard Benavente, who watched his Patriots gambled in the closing minutes of the match and lost.

“Win or lose, going out to watch Super Bowl is a great opportunity to spend time with your friends, meet your fellow football fans, and enjoy great food and drinks at a good price. If I watched at home, I have to buy cases of beer for my friends, cook, and wash the dishes, so that’s a lot of hastle,” said Benavente, who conveniently watched the game at Godfather’s Bar.

Godfather’s Scott Dottino said over 50 fans were at their bar for the Super Bowl and each paid $25 for all-you-can-drink beer and margarita and Super Bowl food (pizza, buffalo wings, burrito, and others).

“We did not change our price to show our appreciation to our customers and continue this Super Bowl tradition,” Dottino said.

Carlos Rivera, who watched the game at Tribes Bar, also saved Monday for Super Bowl.

“My dayoff changes every week, but for this Super Bowl, I had to make a request for a Monday day-off three days before the game so I can watch this,” said Rivera, who became a football fan when his Baltimore Ravens defeated the Giants in 2001.

Raffles, promotion

Companies capitalized on the Super Bowl to promote their products and fans are just happy not only after watching a nice game and enjoying good food, but also after getting giveaways, such as hats, mugs, T-shirts, pens, and other merchandise.

This year, both MARPAC, distributor of Budweiser products, and Pacific Trading, Co. distributed of Miller Lite products, teamed up with various bars and restaurants during yesterday’s Super Bowl. The two companies donated raffle prizes and giveaways.
At Godfather’s each fans received shirts, while over at Tribes, spectators received lunch and hotel accommodation certificates.

Godfather’s also had the Super Bowl “pool” where the winner is decided through the last digit in the scores of the opposing teams.

“I came here rooting for no particular team, as I am just waiting for a win in the pool,” Bruce Bateman said.

“What more can you ask for, you have free flowing food and drinks, good service, and more prizes to take home. It’s the kind of place/environment you would want to be in,” said Darwin Jones, a first time Saipan visitor who went to Godfather’s with his friends.

Fans flock to hotels and bars

At Naked Fish Bar & Grill, there was about 20 people, mostly a mix of both Giants and Patriots fans. Naked Fish showcased its newly renovated bar and dining room, equipped with a large flat screen TV and buffet.

Meanwhile, 60 people, mostly Giants fans, watched the game at Saipan World Resort. Patrons received free breakfast and rush hour lunch buffets as well as free drinks. Some $1,000 worth of prizes were given away throughout the game such as hotel stays, food coupons. and water park passes. In addition, the first 50 people to show up received a free Heineken T-shirt.

Pacific Islands Club’s Charley’s Cabaret featured a large crowd of over 100 gridiron fans. Before the kickoff, most in attendance claimed to be cheering for the Giants, but as the game progressed it appeared as though they were simply cheering for whoever had the ball and/or the lead. Basically every big play caused a loud uproar, regardless of the team.

Patrons took advantage of PIC’s free breakfast buffet as well as an endless supply of drinks and burgers during the game.

An array of side games and prizes were also given away throughout the event.

Suzie Torres of Koblerville was the big winner and went home with a brand new 32” RCA flat screen TV/DVD combo provided by Super Fresh Market.

Other big winners included Velma Reyes of Dan Dan, who received $250 for winning the game score raffle drawing in both the first and second quarters. Frankie Villagomez won the third quarter and Jun Rosario took the prize in the final period; the pair won $125 each.

Pacific Trading Co. provided the cash prizes as well as the drinks, while Triple J’s Super Fresh Market gave away gift certificates as well. [B][I](with Walter Cepeda Sutherland)[/I][/B]