Pepsi tourney renamed King and Queen of the Lanes

The Pepsi King of the Lanes Tenpin Bowling Tournament has been renamed Pepsi King and Queen of the Lanes to reflect better the increased participation of women keglers in the monthly tournament organized by the Saipan Bowling Association and sponsored by Pacific Trading Co.

“We made the name change because we want to acknowledge the fact that more and more women seem to be joining the competition,” said SBA treasurer and tournament director Ross Zapanta.

He said SBA named the top winners of the women’s division in all 12 tournaments last year and admitted retaining the “King” in the competition’s name would be awkward knowing that the association acknowledges a “Queen” for every month.

One thing he wants to improve, though, is a more consistent attendance from the “Eves” of Saipan’s bowling circuit. He revealed that SBA could not give monetary prizes in months when women participation ebb to below 10.

Zapanta said SBA needs at least 10 women players every tournament to enable them to come up with cash prizes for the women’s division.

He however believes that the cavalry is on the way.

“A lot of women players from our other leagues throughout the course of the week have already made their intention to join the tournament, so I think this solves our problem of coming up with the requisite number of women players per competition,” he said.

Zapanta also said that Pacific Trading Co. general manager Charles Cepeda was very happy with the participation in 2004. He said they had an average of 80 entries per month, which gave the SBA-organized tournament roughly 980 entries for the entire year.

The renamed Pepsi King and Queen of the Lanes Tenpin Bowling Tournament will hold its first competition of the year tomorrow, Jan. 30, and Monday, Jan. 31, at the Capitol Bowling Center in Garapan.

Sunday’s roll-off would begin as early as 4pm, while Monday’s competition starts at 6pm. Awarding ceremonies immediately follow the end of competition on Monday.

Members have the option to bowl on Sunday or Monday, or on both days, provided that the $15 entry fee is paid. Bowlers who did not bowl on Sunday will be given priority on the Monday shift.

The number of bowlers will still be limited to 80 players on both roll-of days. Only the higher score will count for the tournament. The champion is guaranteed $100 in prize money but it could go up to as much $150 depending on the number of participants.

The Pepsi King and Queen of the Lanes Tournament aims to crown monthly champions through the course of the year.

Cash prizes will be up for grabs in the monthly tournament, which alternates between CBC and Saipan Bowling Center—two of the premiere bowling venues on island.

The top bowlers of the year, based on SBA’s Bowler Ranking System, would then duke it out in the yearend 2005 King and Queen of the Lanes Tournament, where a purse not lower than $1,000 awaits the overall champion.

Last year, PTC spent over $6,000 for the yearlong bowling tournament.

Sign-up sheets are available for advance registration and payment, and to determine the number of entries. If you have questions or want to register, please see any of the following SBA officers: Ross Zapanta, Jess Rebusada, Ador Dimaano or Gigi Zapanta.

For more information on the Pepsi King of the Lanes Tournament please e-mail SBA through Zapanta at zapanta@vzpacifica.net or Dimaano at ador_dimaano@tanholdings.com.

Mark “The Shark” Hasltead, who bested Noel Sicat in the finals to take home the $1,000 top prize as well as handsome trophy, won the 2004 season-ending Pepsi King of the Lanes Tournament.