Robles rumbles in King of the Lanes

Lefthander Dannie Robles made sure he would win the March Pepsi King of the Lanes Tenpin Bowling Tournament, winning both the Monday and Sunday roll-offs to take home his first monthly title in the two-year headliner sponsored by Pacific Trading Co. and organized by Saipan Bowling Association.

The 48-year-old project engineer of Universal Construction knocked down 871 pinfalls on Monday at the Capital Bowling Center to best by 12 the 859 he logged on Sunday.

Robles, who hails from Quezon City, Philippines and has been working on Saipan since 1986, started out strong and rolled a 234 in his first trip to the wooden lanes Monday.

He followed that up with a 214 and 216 before capping his stellar run with a 207 to finish with an impressive 217.75 average. On Sunday, Robles strung together a four-game series of 243, 195, 221, and 200 to average 214.75.

“I guess I was just lucky. I maintained my focus and never let up and that was the reason I was able to play consistently on both roll-off days,” said Robles, who picked up the sport only in 1992.

Youth bowler Ruselle Zapanta was a far second in the tournament, 39 pins off Robles’ mark with a score of 832. The Northern Marianas College freshman played Monday and recorded a 198 in his first game, 233 in his second, 200 in his third, before bowing out with a 201. He finished with a 208 average.

January champ and former youth bowler Simon Manacop was third in the pecking order. The Department of Public Safety officer had a roller coaster stint Monday putting together scores of 213, 181, 193, and 232 to norm 204.75.

Zapanta’s younger brother Raymond finished fourth with 815 pinfalls and a 203.75 average. The Kagman High School senior came away with a four-game series of 209, 191, 180, and 235 also Monday.

Celso Agui ranked fifth in the depth chart with 797 pinfalls. He rolled a series of 179, 190, 234, and 194 Sunday.

Robles earned $150 for the victory, Ruselle Zapanta got $70, while Manacop and Raymond Zapanta pocketed $45 and $35, respectively. Agui took home $30.

The rest of the top 10, with their respective scores in parenthesis, were as follows: Raul Dumapit (792, $25); Efren Cacdac (784, $20); Melvin Malvar (784, $15); and last month’s champion Arnel Del Rosario (789).

A total of 66 keglers vied for the March King of the Lanes. It culminates with a season-ending championship tournament at the end of the season.