Euphoria, shock, despair at Super Bowl parties on Saipan

In between chicken wings, flavored fries, and gulps of their favorite beverage, Saipan’s adoring gridiron fans endured a rollercoaster of emotion as they witnessed the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history yesterday in various watering holes and venues around the island.

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres boldly predicted the New England Patriots will shut down the Atlanta Falcons.

The Pats did—in the fourth quarter—to set up the epic comeback en route to a 34-28 overtime victory in Super Bowl LI.

Torres was among the thousands of Saipan football fans who witnessed the Patriots historic title win against the No. 1 offensive team in the NFL this season.

“The Patriots have been to the Super Bowl a lot of times and they know what to do in big games like this. They did well in the past and their experience will be their advantage against the Falcons,” said Torres, who watched Super Bowl LI at Naked Fish yesterday with his wife Diann, family members, and friends.

“I took some time off to watch this exciting game and be with my family and friends,” the governor added.

Jacob Villagomez was also off from work, allowing him to watch the game at Charley’s Cabaret at the Pacific Islands Club. The Patriots’ victory was a sort of sweet revenge for him.

“Monday is my regular off so it’s perfect timing. I want the Patriots to win because the Falcons beat my favorite team—the Green Bay Packers,” he said.

Earlier in the first half, Villagomez, who was among the more than 150 spectators at Charley’s Cabaret yesterday, was scratching his head as the Patriots committed miscues and gave up three touchdowns to the Falcons. The Falcons went on to end the half with a 21-3 advantage and then tasted their biggest lead early in the third, 28-3, on Tevin Coleman’s TD off a 6-yard pass from quarterback Matt Ryan.

The Falcons’ fourth TD drew a loud cheer from the gallery where John Castro was seating along with his cousin and some friends.

“The Patriots’ defense can’t stop the Falcons’ offense. Tom Brady is mad at himself. He is frustrated with those interceptions. He’s done. Falcons all the way,” said Castro.

Castro and his fellow Falcons fans, as it turned out, celebrated prematurely because Brady and coach Bill Belichick made the necessary adjustments in the second half, while Julian Edelman and James White delivered in the homestretch to steal the win.

Brady also earned his record fifth Super Bowl title and was named MVP—a recognition that Rico Morales has anticipated.

“Brady will give the Patriots the Super Bowl LI and he will also take the MVP award. He is better than Matt Ryan and he knows what it takes to win the Super Bowl with his skills and leadership,” said Morales, who wore Brady’s jersey while watching the match at Naked Fish with his son Jun.

Over at Bubba Gump, Mobil Oil Marianas treated some 75 of its top Smiles Card customers to a free breakfast and lunch buffet while enjoying Super Bowl LI between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons.

Ernest Camacho, 29, of Koblerville said the Patriots’ comeback from 25 points down early in the third quarter was simply amazing. He said yesterday’s game was the greatest Super Bowl ever.

He admitted though that he thought Brady and Belichick’s partnership was all but done when they went down early against NFL regular season MVP Matt Ryan and the Falcons.

Kyle Cabael seconded Camacho when he said that little bit of doubt crept in when the Falcons erected what seemingly was an insurmountable lead early in the second half.

Even Francisco Nicolas, 37, second-guessed Brady’s resolve to rally the Patriots, but said the historic comeback just made Super Bowl LI more memorable. “It just made it more sweeter.”

At Tribe’s Bar, Carlos Rivera said some 40 gridiron fans packed the venue. He said early on Falcons fans were ecstatic as their team spotted the Patriots 21-3 after the first half. They were bordering in euphoria when another touchdown had Atlanta up by 25 points early in the third quarter.

Eighty percent of the crowd, however, could only watch in numb silence when Brady and company completed the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history.

Rivera thanked MARPAC for organizing their Super Bowl party and said over $300 worth of prizes was given away. The luckiest of the customers was Fernando Estella who went home with a barbeque grill.

Everest Kitchen also had its Super Bowl event that was held in partnership with Saipan Brewing Co. Assistant brewer Jay Wolf said the restaurant was a full house and patrons were able to imbibe on their best selling concoction Beermosa, which is an orange juice and wheat beer.

In all, $500 worth of gift certificates and in-kind items were raffled off by Saipan Brewing with the help of sponsors Joeten Group of Companies and Get Fit CNMI. The $100 in cash grand prize was won by Greg Villagomez. (With Mark Rabago)