Super Bowl fever rocks Saipan

Saipan witnessed the Pittsburg Steelers’ historic feat Monday, as hundreds of football fans here went to various bars and restaurants to watch Super Bowl XLIII.

Local football fanatics saw Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger connect on a crucial six-yard pass to wide receiver Santonio Holmes deep in the right corner of the end zone with 35 seconds remaining in the game. That lifted the Steelers to a record-setting sixth Super Bowl win, 27-23, over the Arizona Cardinals.

[B]Shirley’s hosts students, worker[/B]s

High school and elementary students were among the patrons of Shirley’s Coffee Shop, which hosted the Super Bowl for the first time.

Dining supervisor Macoi Aguda said they had between 60-70 people who came to the restaurant for the Super Bowl XLIII.

“It was a great turnout for a first-timer like us,” Aguda said.

Mt. Carmel’s David and Tom Kautz, Tim Taguchi, and Sean Sablan and Southern High School’s John Villagomez arrived at Shirley’s as early as 9am to dine and watch the game.

“We don’t have classes today (yesterday), so we decided to come here. It was sort of Super Bowl holiday for us,” said Taguchi, who along with Tom and Villagomez rooted for the Cardinals.

Sablan and David are Steelers fans with the former deciding to watch the Super Bowl outside the comfort of his friend’s home.

“Last year, I watched the game at Tim’s house. This year, we went out and it did not cost us that much as we had to play only $7.95 for everything. We enjoyed the food and the game, and got to spend some time with friends.” Sablan said.

Shirley’s also hosted five students from Saipan International School and the managers of various companies/departments under Tan Holdings, Corp.

SIS’ Kennedy and Clayton Isuka, Chris and Alex Park, and Bryan Lee all rooted for the Steelers, as they believed the team was consistent all throughout the season.

At the end of the game, Kennedy had a double celebration, as he won the grand prize for the event, a new cellular phone from Docomo.

Tan Holdings president Jerry Tan said the Super Bowl served as a team building exercise for the company’s managers.

“It’s a great way to bring them together and spend a good time watching the biggest show in American sports today,” Tan said.

Ariel Mariano of Tan Holding’s legal department said watching the Super Bowl allowed them to mix business with pleasure.

“You get to discuss things about your work and at the same time exchange opinions about the game and the players,” Mariano said.

[B]PIC draws 180 fans[/B]

Pacific Islands Club’s Monday Gridiron at Charley’s Cabaret attracted around 180 fans, according to F&B manager Steve Balakrisna.

“It was bigger than last year,” he said. “Despite the economic crisis, PIC continues to host the Super Bowl, as our way of giving back what’s due to the community, especially to sports fans.”

Fans who came to PIC paid only $20 for a breakfast buffet and various side shows from PIC’s cheering squad. The host gave away raffle prizes from Pacific Trading, Co. and Docomo.

As a bonus, at halftime fans were treated to a snack (burger made from Angus beef meat) courtesy of Triple J.

“We’ve been coming to PIC for the past several years because we like watching Super Bowl with a big crowd. It’s much exciting than watching at home,” said Becky Cruz, who came with husband Kin.

Palms Resort expecting better turnout next year

Palms Resort Saipan’s Valerie Camacho said about 40 came at Sanssouci and PauPau Beach to watch the Cardinals-Steelers tiff.

“We were expecting more, but maybe because of our location, people opted to drop by to places near their work or home. But still, we were happy to host the Super Bowl for the first time. We hope to have a bigger and better one next year,” Camacho said.

Fans who trooped to Palms enjoyed breakfast and lunch buffet while watching the Super Bowl for only $25. They also went home with caps and T-shirts from PTC.

[B]Full house at Godfather’s Bar[/B]

Godfather’s Bar had a full house for the Super Bowl XLIII. Proprietor Ron Biggers reported more than 80 people watched the game at the Garapan watering hole and sports bar.

Biggers said it was a huge success.

For $20, football fans enjoyed breakfast and Budweiser products that they can drink until the game was over.

Biggers said the crowd was 50/50 for both teams.

MARPAC representative Leonard Leon said the crowd was all excited.

“We had a good crowd and a good game here,” Leon said.

[B]Bigwigs at Hard Rock Café[/B]

Hard Rock Café Saipan attracted some 100 patrons, among them was Department of Commerce Secretary Michael Ada.

Assistant general manager Aldwin Culiat said Gov. Benigno R. Fitial reserved a seat but could not make it.

It was the first time Hard Rock set-up a Super Bowl party. The crowd availed of the $12 breakfast with refillable coffee with Budweiser beer costing a mere $3 a pop.

One of the viewers, Reynaldo Susulin, said he came with his friends and they were all rooting for the Steelers.

MARPAC marketing manager Jojo Camacho said overall it was a great success.

“We’re very happy with the crowd. People are still coming in,” Camacho said during the halftime break.

[B]Merchant marine invades Bud’s Bar[/B]

At Bud’s Bar, manager/owner Les Jackson said all those who watched were merchant marines.

“We had 11 people but this was better than last year. We offered free food and free drinks because it is a way of giving back to the community and we hope to do it again next year,” Jackson said.

Most of them rooted for the Steelers, including Rick Crumpton of USNS Safeguard.

“This is the only football game I watched for the whole year. I have been in the ship for six months. I had no chance and now it’s the Super Bowl,” Crumpton said.

He said it was so wonderful to watch the game on a beautiful island like Saipan. “Bud’s Bar is the best place in this island to watch the game,” he said.

[B]Smaller crowds at Fiesta Resort, Oleai Beach Bar[/B]

Fiesta Resort and Spa’s public relations officer Elena Soll said in contrast from last year when they had a full house, only 15 people watched the Super Bowl at Chambre Bar yesterday.

Retired PSS teacher Gus Flores, who was rooting for the Cardinals, said the food complemented well with the great game.

With a cost of $15, viewers enjoyed breakfast and lunch with beer and other giveaway from Miller Lite.

Over at Oleai Beach Bar and Grill, manager Mara Lambon also reported a sparse crowd of between 30 to 40 people.

MARPAC’s representative Frank Matsunaga said the smaller crowd this year perhaps had something to do with the economic crises. [B][I](with Nazario Rodriguez Jr.)[/I][/B]