Sakisat, Lee, Zapanta are February’s best

Slugger Mel Sakisat, netter Vivian Lee, and kegler Raymond Zapanta have at least one thing in common—all three were recognized as athletes of the month for February.

Sakisat earned Male Athlete of the Month status courtesy of his heroics on the softball diamond during the regular season of the Saipan Softball Association Fastpitch Softball League.

While spearheading the D9ers to the pennant crown, Sakisat led all players in runs after crossing home plate on 21 occasions. He had the most doubles with eight two-baggers, won the triples crown with three, and was recognized as the league’s most valuable player.

Sakisat also shined in the recent 2006 Crime Stoppers Softball Tournament held from Feb. 10 to 12, as he pitched Wells Fargo to the title, going 5-0 on the mound.

In addition to his softball heroics, Sakisat also led the Cyclones to the title in the recent SML Masters League. With his team trailing 1-13 against the Typhoons, Sakisat came in relief, and held the Typhoons scoreless to enable his team to rally and tie the bout, 13-13.

He then drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning with a double.

For her part, Lee was sensational in the recent 2006 Coconut Classic Tennis Tournament, winning the singles title in her age group and was crowned co-champion of the mixed up doubles at the American Memorial Park tennis courts.

Lee, who is also training to compete in the upcoming 6th Micronesian Games, first took care of business in the girls’ 14-and-under category as she came back from an early deficit and slipped past good friend Audrey Motto in three sets.

The two engaged in a tough battle right from the start with Motto taking the first set, 6-4. Lee responded well in the second set and was able to level the match with a 6-4 win, then earned her crown and the coconut trophy with a 6-1 victory in the third set.

Lee also teamed up with Benjie Decena of Tinian and put on a good show in the mixed up doubles. The two came from behind to defeat Nicolas Son and Melody Johnson in the semifinals, 9-7. They were scheduled to battle the duo of Sonny Decena and Thea Minor in the finals, however, the Decena family had to retire and return to Tinian. With that, Sonny and Benjie Decena took home runner-up honors, while Lee and Minor were crowned champions of the friendly contest.

For his part, Zapanta became just the sixth bowler in NMI history to bowl a perfect game, connecting for 12 consecutive strikes at the Saipan Bowling Center for a score of 300, while suiting up for defending champion Fun & Games in the Budweiser Saturday Night League last Feb. 18.

At 17 years old, Zapanta becomes the youngest player in the NMI to accomplish the feat.

The Kagman High School student is also a member of both the CNMI National and Junior National Bowling teams.

Others deserving honorable mention for their efforts were Frank Camacho and Slade Adelbai of wrestling, Rezne Wong of swimming, Lewie Tenorio of triathlon, Robert Talavera of bowling, Romeo Iginoef and Luizi Reyes of basketball, and James Kintol of baseball.