Saipan Tribune

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Monday, February 04, 2013

RAVENS OR 49ERS?

Saipan prognosticators make their pick

By SAIPAN TRIBUNE staff

Will Ravens legendary linebacker Ray Lewis ride into the sunset with a second Super Bowl ring or will the 49ers equal the Steelers' record of six Lombardi trophies?

Today is Super Bowl Monday on Saipan and expect the government and private sectors to record their highest rate of employee absenteeism-excused or not-on this day.

Despite the still struggling local economy, Super Bowl parties from Achugao to San Antonio are expected to be packed, while Ravens and 49ers fans-decked with their teams' colors and paraphernalia-troop to their favorite watering holes and hangouts to watch the big game.

Saipan Tribune quizzed their favorite prognosticators below on their takes on this morning's Super Bowl. Here are their long and short answers:

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I've been waiting years for the 'Niners to get back in the Super Bowl. Us Niner fans were so patient, even during the hard times of the early 2000s. But it's all going to pay off Monday. My favorite player is Joe Staley, left tackle.that's my position. On plays I watch the O-line move, then I watch the rest of the players. The 'Niners O-line is the best in the league. Look, if the 'Niners lose, I'd rather it be to the Ravens who I also like.than the Patriots. There are a lot of 'Niner fans like me that also like the Ravens like my buddies Kelvin Fitial and Keith Nabors in Tinian, so in the end.it should all work out with no hard feelings. But we still pull for the red and gold! WHO GOT IT BETTER THAN US? Nobody.

Ed Arriola Jr.
Tan Siu Lin Foundation manager

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'm predicting that the Baltimore Ravens will win by 10. The Ravens have been so hungry to win another Super Bowl and Ray Lewis is retiring so I'm rooting for a Baltimore win against the 49ers. Look what they did against the New England Patriots. The Ravens have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Tina Palacios
Power 99 general manager

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I'm picking the 'Niners. Baltimore's defense can't stop San Francisco all day, and Baltimore's offense just can't keep up with San Francisco's.

Michael White
NMASA president

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Will take the 49ers since we lived in SF and were raised going to their games in the '50s. They are my team. But it should be a close game.

Bill Sakovich
CNMI Sports Hall of Famer

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49ers! I want Mike Iupati to get a ring.

Savali Talalemotu
Portland State University defensive end

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49ers.because of Randy Moss, 'nuff said!

Kelvin Fital
Former PXC heavyweight champion

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I'm a 49ers fan and am excited to see them make it to the big game. I think it's going to be a close battle, but SF will find way to win in the end.

Gabriel White
FIBA international referee

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I pick the 'Niners because not only do they have all the right personnel to win it all, they also have a quarterback that seems to have what it takes to perform in big games and won't be bothered that its the biggest game in all of football. I've been a 'Niners fan since I can remember my dad watching Joe [Montana] and Jerry [Rice] win their rings in the late '80s.

Dave Sablan
Former Hoopaholics player

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I'm picking the Ravens. I picked them to lose to both Denver and New England, but they proved all their doubters wrong. I'm jumping on the bandwagon and am pulling for, big brother John “Kazu” Harbaugh.

John Blanco
Commonwealth Football League founder