Four in a row for Raphael

Youth bowler Raphael Zapanta kept his streak in the Fiji Water Prince/Princess of the Lanes tournament after ruling the April roll-off Sunday at the Saipan Bowling Center.

It was Zapanta’s fourth straight monthly win.

Only four battled for the April title with Zapanta winning by 48 pinfalls against runner-up Troy Verdaguer. Zapanta totaled 667 pinfalls in four games, while Verdaguer tallied 619. Nikko Gutierrez placed third with his 616 pinfalls, while the lone female kegler in the field—Leeanne Yarobwemal—finished fourth with her 523 pinfalls.

Zapanta was off to a strong start in the weekend tournament, knocking 180 pins down in Game 1. He slowed down in Game 2 with 149 pinfalls before showing his best form in Game 3, scoring 206 pinfalls. Zapanta closed out with 132 pinfalls to notch his fourth straight victory.

Verdaguer’s highest score was in Game 4 (177), but still it was not enough to halt Zapanta’s run, as the former had only 141, 153, and 148 pinfalls in the first three games.

Gutierrez also recorded 141 in Game 1, improved his game a bit in Game 2 (150) before collapsing in Game 3 (126). Gutierrez salvaged a third place finish with his 199 pinfalls in Game 4. Yarobwemal was sluggish in the first three games (118, 136, 119) before posting a decent score in the last game (150).

In the Budweiser King and Queen of the Lanes Tournament, Percy Omechelang and Yho Villavicencio boosted their chances for their second monthly win after taking the lead in Day 1 of the roll-offs.

Omechelang, who won in January, tallied 881 pinfalls for a 17-pinfall lead over second placer Robert Talavera (864).

Seven other male keglers joined Sunday’s roll-off with Tony Verdaguer finishing third with 769 pinfalls, followed by Jeremy Williams (769), Rusty Musca (738), Kitz Barja (692), Jon Eparwa (668), Rick Brun (653), and Jared Gutierrez (598).

In the Queen of the Lanes, Villavicencio was leading seven other female participants. The January Queen of the Lanes had 702 pinfalls for a seven-pinfall lead over February winner Diane Camacho (689).

In third place was Emi Williams (689), followed by Gigi Zapanta (655), Ron Cal (609), Elena Soll (599), Gloria Omechelang (580), and Lala Taitano (577).

If Villavicencio and Omechelang’s scores were unbeaten in last night’s second roll-off, they get to keep the monthly title.

Participants in the King and Queen roll-offs can play in two days, but only the highest score will be counted.