First victory for Angeles, Omechelang

  The Saipan Bowling Association/Budweiser King and Queen of the Lanes Tournament continued to have a balance competition as another pair of first time winners emerged in the June contest at the Saipan Bowling Center.

Getting their first monthly crown for the 2012 season were Raymond Angeles and Gloria Omechelang.

Angeles only joined the second day of the June roll-offs and his four-game total of 829 pinfalls surpassed the record of Day 1 leader Percy Omechelang (793 pinfalls). Angeles knocked down more than 200 pins on two occasions (212 in Game 2 and 225 in Game 4) to add to his 193 and 199 in Games 1 and 3 for an average of 207.25 pinfalls. He was the lone participant in the June roll-offs to average 200-plus pinfalls and totaled at least 800.

Omechelang had a strong start in Day 1 on June 17 with his 268 pinfalls before settling for 175, 205, and 145 in the last three games. He returned in Day 2 of the roll-offs on June 18, but his four-game total of 723 pinfalls were enough only for the No. 5 spot.

Raymond Zapanta joined Omechelang and Angeles in the Top 3 after carding 770 pinfalls in Day 2. Seven other bowlers battled and lost to Angeles in the race for the June King crown.

With the June victory, Angeles joined January King’s Robert Talavera, February and May’s Raphael Zapanta, March’s Percy Omechelang, and April’s Raymond Zapanta in the winners circle.

In the Queen of the Lanes, Gloria Omechelang made it to the company of January winner Yho Villavicencio, February and March’s Diane Camacho, April’s Lala Taitano, and May’s Ron Cal.

Omechelang bested nine other female keglers last month to take her first Queen of the Lanes tiara. She bowled in both days of last month’s roll-offs and her Day 1 score (654 pinfalls) was undefeated, as Mel Regis only managed to collect 642 pinfalls in Day 2. Villavicencio also competed in the second day and settled for third place after tallying 633 pinfalls.

Omechelang had her best showing in the first day in Game 3, posting 187. She recorded 158, 138, and 171 in the three other games. On Day 2, Omechelang only scored 95 in Game 1, but finished strong in the last three games with her 115, 161, and 189.

Bowlers are allowed to compete for two days in the monthly roll-offs, but only the higher score is counted.

Meanwhile, MJ Aldan extended his streak in the Fiji Water Prince of the Lane to four after winning the June plum.

Aldan earned 638 pinfalls in four games, beating John Taisacan by 10 pinfalls. Angel Iglecias and Ryan Batac completed the field and scored 521 and 486, respectively.

Marion McKenzie, who won the first two monthly tournaments, missed last month’s event.

July roll-offs this weekend

SBA’s July tournament will take place this weekend at the Saipan Bowling Center.

Entrance fee for the King and Queen contests is only $15 and $10 for the Fiji Water Prince of the Lanes.

Only the first 60 players to register will be allowed to play. Prizes will depend on the number of entries and women’s division will only have a cash prize if at least 10 players are entered.

Saturday’s roll-off begins at 6pm, while Sunday’s starts at 3:30pm.

By Roselyn Monroyo
Reporter