Kuya JR is April King of the Lanes

For a change, Jess Rebusada found himself clutching a championship trophy instead of a mike and a CD at the Pepsi King of the Lanes Tenpin Bowling Tournament Monday at the Saipan Bowling Center.

Rebusada, known to Saipan radio listeners as Kuya J.R., rolled a record 947 pinfalls to crown himself April King of the Lanes, his first ever victory in the monthly roll-off organized by the Saipan Bowling Association.

The 54-year-old right-hander stormed out of the gates with a whopping 268 in his first trip to the wooden lanes of the San Jose bowling venue.

He didn’t let up in the second game, registering a 247 and then followed that up with a 259 in the third game. Rebusada then bowed out with a pedestrian 173 but it hardly made a dent as he cruised to victory with an eye-popping 236.75 average.

“I guess I really woke up on the right side of the bed this morning. I thank God that I was able to play well tonight. That’s how it is…any bowler can do it. It all depends on how determined you are and old Lady Luck,” he said shortly after receiving his $150 first-place prize from SBA vice president Ador Dimaano.

The 15-year bowling veteran from Cavite City, Philippines said Monday night was the one of the best streaks he ever had in recent years. He said it ranks with the time he rolled two pins short of a perfect 300 game a few years back.

“I’m excited and happy that I was finally able to win the monthly Pepsi King of the Lanes. A lot of people have been asking me that ‘even with a 200 average why haven’t I won the tournament?’ Now, I could say I did,” he said.

In other months, Robert Talavera’s 896 total and 224-pinfall average would have been enough to wrest the championship. The SBA employee rolled impressive scores of 194, 225, 242, and 235 but had to settle for the $70 second-place plum because of Rebusada’s almost perfect night.

Jonathan Eparwa was a far third with his 815 and 203.75 average. He started out slow with games of 174 and 179 before finishing strong with rolls of 259 and 203. He received $45 for his effort.

Alex Cacdac (803, $35) came in fourth, while Raul Dumapit ($30), and Noel Sicat ($25) finished fifth and sixth place with identical scores of 792 with Dumapit winning on a tiebreak.

The rest of the top 10, with their scores in parenthesis, were as follows: Rusty Musca (787, $20); Raymond Angeles (787, $15); Roman Borja (767); and Mark “The Shark” Halstead (765).

The April Pepsi King of the Lanes Tournament drew a total of 86 entries. The monthly bowling competition is sponsored by Pacific Trading Company and organized by SBA. It culminates with a season-ending championship tournament at the end of the season.