NMI bowlers do well in doubles

CNMI bowlers currently competing in the 20th Asian Intercity Bowling Championship on Guam put up respectable performances in the doubles competition held on Wednesday at the Central Lanes Bowling Center in Tamuning.

In the men’s corner, the duo of Raymond Zapanta and Simon Manacop of the Saipan Men’s Team put on a good show as they combined for 2,285 pins to place 18th in a field of 34 teams.

Zapanta was credited with 1,184 pins as he averaged 197.33 pins per game in the six-game roll-off, while Manacop managed to knock down 1,101 pins for an average of 183.5 pins per game.

Zapanta’s six-game result featured scores of 191, 182, and 163 in his first three games. The youth bowler then heated up as he recorded 249 pins in his fourth game before closing with scores of 195 and 204.

For his part, Manacop knocked down 181, 210, 163, 173, 189, and 185 pins.

Kitz Barja and Richard Leong, also of the Saipan Men’s Team, placed 27th with a total of 2,166 pins. Barja averaged 180.67 pins per game after bruising 1,084 pins, while Leong left his mark on 1,082 pins for an average of 180.33.

For their part, Tony Cruz and Chester Bai of the Capital Hill Team finished in 29th place with a total of 2,146 pins. Cruz was able to hit 1,064 pins and finished with an average of 177.33 pins per game, while Bai knocked down 1,082 pins for an average of 180.33 pins per game.

The other Capital Hill Team duo of Jeremy Williams and Raymond Angeles placed 32nd with 2,094 pins. Williams was credited with 1,009 pins as he averaged 168.17 pins per game, while Angeles hit 1,085 pins for an average of 180.83 pins per outing.

In the women’s corner, Emi Williams and Jerrie Vales of the Saipan Women’s Team finished in eighth place out of 16 teams with a total of 2,077 pins.

Williams got off to a slow start with 157 pins in her first game, but improved to 190 pins in her second game before cracking 160 and 149 pins. She then sizzled and bruised 225 pins before closing with 168 pins for a total of 1,049 pins. She averaged 174.83 pins per game.

For her part, Vales was able to knock down 169 and 170 pins in her first two games. She then broke the 200-mark with 204 pins in her third game, then closed her campaign with 167, 155, and 163 pins for a total of 1,028 pins. With that, the youth bowler averaged 171.33 pins per game.

The other duo made up of Gloria Omechelang and Ron Cal placed 12th with a total of 1,886 pins. Omechelang was able to connect on 844 pins and averaged 140.67 pins per game, while Cal hit 1,042 pins to sport an average of 173.67 pins per game.

Korea’s Young Pyo Kim and Min Hoo Yoon of Dae Gu won the men’s doubles competition as they combined for 2,718 pins, with Kim hitting 1,345 pins and Yoon connecting on 1,373 pins.

Second place went to Frank Russo and Purvis Granger of Paranaque, Philippines as they combined for 2,686 pins, while third place went to Jong Hyun Kim and Dae Soon Park of Dae Gu with 2,583 pins. Kim had 1,308 pins while Park bruised 1,275 pins.

The women’s competition was topped by Liza Clutario and Cecilia Yap of Paranaque, Philippines with 2,430 pins. Clutario finished with 1,197 pins and Yap 1,233.

Mi Ja Kim and Sin Hwa Kim of Pohang, Korea placed second with 2,300, while Seok Kim Yap and Lucy Cheng of Paranaque took third with 2,283 pins.

The players played in team competition yesterday. However, results were not available as of press time. After the team competition, officials will tabulate each player’s score from the three events. The top 16 players in each division will advance and face off in the masters competition, which begins today and concludes tomorrow.

The CNMI delegation is up against 15 other cities in the competition, which is being held at the Central Lanes Bowling Center.

Korea is represented by teams from Dae Gu, Uiwang, Pohang, and Busan; the Philippines is represented by Pasay, Paranaque, and Antipolo; Taiwan is represented by Taipei and Kaoshiung; Hong Kong is represented by Hong Kong Island, Victoria, and Kowloon; and Guam is represented by Tamuning, Hagatna, and Dededo.