Viewing parties give Super Bowl local flavor

Local football fans, most of which were rooting for the defending champion Seattle Seahawks, packed Super Bowl XLIX viewing parties held in several hotels and restaurants on Saipan early Monday morning.

Patriot fans rejoice after Tom Brady brought New England back into the game.

Marpac beverage and tobacco sales manager James Lee, left, poses with football fans.

Patriots and Seahawks fans enjoy a friendly banter.

The crowd at Red Box Sport Bar reacts after Malcolm Butler made the game-winning interception for the Patriots.

Seattle fans celebrate after the Seahawks went ahead, 24-14.

A Seattle Seahawks fans reacts after his team scored on a field goal at Naked Fish Bar and Grill.

It is safe to say that Saipan is Seahawks country since most locals here have either studied or lived in the Pacific Northwest.

There were also New England Patriots supporters, the underdogs this year and the “Evil Empire” to some after the whole “deflategate” brouhaha that has hovered around the past two weeks leading to the big game.

But, in every sporting event, only one team will end up celebrating, leaving the other ruing and wondering what went wrong.

Seahawks fans watched in agony the moment Malcolm Butler stepped in front of wide receiver Ricardo Lockette to intercept quarterback Russell Wilson’s pass on the end zone, while at the other end Patriots fans celebrated that game-changing defensive play.

Naked Fish was packed with nearly 100 football fans, one of them is New England supporter Francis Mendiola.

Mendiola will be one of the Patriots fans that will have a good night’s sleep after coach Bill Belichick and Tom Brady guided New England to a fourth Lombardy trophy.

“It will be one memorable Super Bowl. I thought the Patriots were going to lose after trailing by 10 points. But in every game, it ain’t over until the fat lady sings,” he added.

Commonwealth Football League Association president John Blanco was joined by his friends among them were Reps. Edward Villagomez (Ind-Saipan) and Ed Propst (Ind-Saipan) and former senator Ray Yumul.

Marpac resident manager Guy Pudney said it has been their tradition hosting viewing parties in at least three venues on Saipan.

“On a national level, Bud Light is the official Super Bowl sponsor. Locally we run promotions by hosting viewing parties, and giving away gifts, cash, and other prizes,” said Pudney, who decided to remain neutral being a longtime Cowboys fan.

“This Super Bowl is one very competitive game. It really gave the fans something to talk about in the coming years,” added Pudney.

Naked Fish co-owner Joe Guerrero, a Seahawks fan after he and wife Eleanor studied in Seattle, said it was a great turnout for them since the 10-year-old bar has become a favorite hang out for sports fans on the island.

“The Super Bowl viewing party has been an annual event since we opened in 2004. This was the second year that we held it since we took over managing the bar. A lot of people purchased their tickets in advance but more bought it at the door.”

He said that they have also lined up other events this year like concerts, comedy shows, and wine tasting.

“We also partner with other organizations like fundraising events since we love to give back to the community. The community has been supportive of us for the past 10 years and we love to give back to the people.”

Next-door neighbor Saipan World Resort also hosted a viewing party at the Red Box Sports Bar sponsored by Pacific Trading Co. and Heineken. Hotel sales and marketing manager Mike Babauta said they “had a very good crowd despite of the competition from the other establishments.

“Overall it was a good attendance for us. We exceeded the number of fans and most are returning guests that have enjoyed last year’s event,” said Babauta.

“World Resort has been doing this even before I got on board. We just revamped it four years ago. The new thing that we offered is breakfast and lunch plus giving away premium gear,” he added.

Babauta, a Packers fan, said that it was one of the best Super Bowl finals in a while.

“I’m neutral this year since the Seahawks beat the Packers and I am hoping to watch them in the Super Bowl next year. But this is one of the best Super Bowl matches in a while. That final play will be debated on by football fans for years.”

Club C, Godfather’s Bar, Coral Ocean Point, Pacific Islands Club, and VFW Post 3457 were some of the other bars that hosted Super Bowl viewing parties.