By James Sablan
james@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
BLACK 8 Dank Shooters captured the Fanihi B Division Bud Light Cup title of the 2025 SEDA Bud Light Dart League, on Thursday night, after clinching an 8–7 victory against the resilient Tambayan Punk Pank held at the Black 8 Pool Bar
The finals began with high-stakes energy in the Partners 501 set. Punk Pank drew first blood with the duo of Kel Sablan and Norm Villagomez claiming the first game. However, Dank Shooters’ Jess Laniyo and Chioni Dela Cruz responded immediately to hold the first deadlock of the night, 1-1.
Punk Pank prolonged their role as the aggressors as Sablan and Villagomez refused to fold even as individuals, earning two consecutive wins in the following Singles Crazy Cricket set. But Dank Shooters also did not lose their touch as Dela Cruz and Jeff “DAHMER” Castro recovered by snatching the next two games to remain evenly matched, 3-3.
As the match progressed into Partners 701, Punk Pank maintained their poise as the pair of Sablan and Villagomez proved effective by securing the first game while Zack Sasamoto and Aurel Mendiola followed through to secure a 2-win sweep put and grasp the first lead of the match, 5-3.
Punk Pank’s Sablan tried to keep the momentum alive by claiming the first game of the Singles Half-It set. Unfortunately, their reign was short-lived as Dqnk Shooters suddenly found their second wind as Dela Cruz, Napu Santos, and Castro stepped up with three consecutive individual wins to tie the game once again, 6-6.
While Punk Pank tried to retain the upper hand with Sablan and Villagomez’s third win as a pair, Dank Shooters’ Martin Dela Cruz and Castro dug deep to snag the remaining game for another deadlock, 7-7.
Both teams continued the back-and-forth battle during the Team 1101 game, with neither able to gain an edge. However, with the title hanging in the balance, it was Martin Dela Cruz who found the target with clinical precision, hitting the game-winning double to clinch the 8th point for the Dank Shooters, sparking a wild celebration as the team secured the Fanihi B division Bud Light Cup title, 8-7.
The Black 8 Dank Shooters roster consists of Tristan “Joseph” Javier, Jesstin Laniyo, Napu Santos, Chioni Dela Cruz, Jeff “DAHMER” Castro, Martin Dela Cruz, Jojo Guilas and Ervin Villarin.
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.
