SBA sets dates for finals roll-offs

The next two Sundays will be a busy week for the island’s bowlers, as Saipan Bowling Association holds the 2008 Budweiser King and of the Lanes Tenpin Bowling Tournament at the Saipan Bowling Center on Jan. 11 and 18.

Female keglers will see action first on Jan. 11 with the Top 24 bowlers based on the SBA ranking system getting slots to the 8-game final roll-off.

The qualifiers and their ranking points are Yho Villavicencio (740), Ron Cal (615), Elena Soll (545), Gloria Omechelang (497), Gigi Zapanta (495), Diana Chong (408), Mhel Regis (390), Emi Williams (385), Gina Sablan (375), Diane Camacho (355), Lala Taitano (304), Carol McKenzie (233), Cora Muna (196), Lynn Santos (134), Lilian Gutierrez (115), and Minday Taitano (99).

After the eight-game roll-off, the Top 6 female bowlers will advance to the step-ladder finals.

In the step-ladder finals, the pairings for the elimination game will be No. 3 vs. No. 6 (Game 1) and No. 4 vs No. 5. (Game 2). Winners of the two elimination matches will then move into the semifinals with the victor of Game 2 facing the No. 2 ranked player, and Game 1 winner challenging the No. 1 bowler. Winners of the semis matches will then duel in the finals.

The Bing Energy Drink Prince/Princess of the Lanes Tenpin Bowling Tournament is also set for Jan. 11 with the qualifiers competing in a six-game roll-off to determine the Top 4 bowlers in the step-ladder finals.

Format in the step-ladder finals will be No. 4 vs. No. 1 and No. 2 vs. No. 3.

The qualifiers are Raphael Zapanta, Zack Cruz, Nikko Gutierrez, Marcel and Marion McKenzie, J.D. Torres, Toby and Troy Verdaguer, and Leanne Yarobwemal. Ryan Gutierrez and Jaime Vales also qualified, but they are off-island and could not make it to this Sunday’s tournament.

In the King of the Lanes tournament on Jan. 18, the Top 36 players based on the ranking points are allowed to join next Sunday’s roll-off.

The Top 12 will automatically advance to the 9-game roll-off, which will determine the Top 6 who will make it to the step-ladder finals.

Male keglers ranked from 13th to 36th will compete in a three-game roll-off with the Top 12 finishers joining the Top 12 (in the ranking points) in the nine-game elimination.

The same format in the ladies’ step-ladder finals will be in effect for the men’s tournament.

The qualifiers in the men’s tournament are Raymond Zapanta (1,664), Dannie Robles (1,521), Richard Leong (1,431), Simon Manacop (1,429), Robert Talavera (1,313), Raymond Angeles (1,236), Raul Dumapit (1,146), Kitz Barja (1,008), Percy Omechelang (1,000), Paul Pangelinan (785), Jon Eparwa (708), Lito Teodoro (648), Alex Cacdac (485), Ronald Epan (458), Ador Dimaano (416), Efren Cacdac (379), Nick Gutierrez (335), Jon Hensley (248), Jorge Soledad (229), Ferdee Generoso (185), Roger Vales (180), Ray Cruz (127), Chester Bai (96), and Totie Limpin 916).

For more information on the final roll-offs, contact Gigi Zapanta at 288-5627 or via email at zapanta@pticom.com.