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Epan, Dela Cruz, Race get spotlight
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Posted on Sep 24 2005
Bowler Ronald Epan, motocross rider Floyd Dela Cruz, and longtime CNMI National Team coach Jeff Race had the most memorable week in sports this past seven days.
Epan took home the title of 2005 PBA Bowler of the Year after the 34-year-old lefthander defeated Simon Manacop in the finals Sunday at the Saipan Bowling Center.
The Zambales, Philippines native smoked the competition in the nine-game roll-off then went on to eclipse Manacop in the one-game finals, 167-162, after the Department Public Safety officer literally dropped the ball in his final frame.
Dela Cruz, meanwhile, beat all comers in the 250cc Open competition of the Marianas Racing Association’s point race also held Sunday at the Cowtown Race Park. Dela Cruz won the 10-lap affair against the likes of Weng Yap and Roman Tudela.
Race, for his part, earned the nod to coach Pacific Oceania’s Davis Cup team for the next two years from the Oceania Tennis Federation.
In a letter to the many-time local tennis tournament champion, OTF executive officer Patrick O’Rourke said that the association decided to keep the “winning combination” because of the former Chapman University’s ability to coax the best from his players as well as handle the pressure of Davis Cup competition.
Last Sunday also saw 26 intrepid triathletes participate in second event of the Northern Mariana Islands Triathlon Federation’s Enticer Series in Marpi. A total of 15 multi-sport enthusiasts tackled the shorter course, while 11 triathlon “veterans” took part in the more challenging race.
The past week also saw the 2nd Annual 3-on-3 Street Basketball Jam hold its eliminations Marianas High School Gymnasium. The 2005 Budweiser Cup BANMI Men’s Island-wide Basketball League, the 2005 Saipan Rotary Club Summer Basketball League, the 2005 MDX Amateur Radio Club Inter-Color Basketball League, and the 35-and-over and the 45-and-over Masters Basketball leagues also continued in the island’s main basketball venues—Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium and Northern Marianas College Gymnasium.
