James Villacrusis, right, and friends pose for a photo at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan where they rooted for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Raquel Aquon, a San Francisco 49ers fan, poses for a photo at Saipan World Resort.
LOCAL sports fans watched, cheered and shouted either in celebration or disbelief at the several Super Bowl LVIII watch parties on Saipan Monday morning.
Marpac and Current CNMI partnered with several bars and hotels to make it happen.
Guy Pudney, Marpac resident manager, said up to 150 people filled the Hyatt’s ballroom while a little over a 100 gathered at PIC-Charley’s Cabaret.
Several other local residents were seen at the other watch parties on island.
“From what I understand there are a lot of 49ers fans here in Saipan,” Pudney said. “For the Super Bowl, everyone comes out. They come out and cheer and, this year, a lot of women came out because they want to see Taylor Swift. Today I’m going for the Chiefs but I’m a diehard Dallas [Cowboys] fan.”
Pudney enjoyed the game at Saipan World Resort where Raquel Aguon, Marianas Visitors Authority project development manager, was rooting for the 49ers.
“My husband and I actually lived in the Bay Area, so we are 49er faithful,” she said. “I am a Taylor Swift fan but more of a 49ers fan.”
Asked about the game, which was then ongoing, she said, “It’s really interesting. We have two good teams so we don’t know what’s going to happen, but as a 49er faithful, we need to believe our team and push till the end. Prediction: I’m hoping a blowout with the Chiefs at 3 and 49ers going all the way!”
It wasn’t meant to be, however.
At the Hyatt.
At PIC-Charley’s Cabaret.
At the Taga Hall of Saipan World Resort.
At VFW sports bar.
