LANCE “Ponpon” Rasa remains the “King of the Iron Fist Tournament” on Saipan after rising from the loser’s bracket and overcoming his well-respected adversary, Eric “JR3 2D” Tudela Jr., in the best-of-five championship series of the Tekken 8 tournament of the Rotaract Club of Saipan’s Summer Showdown Vol. 2 at Pepoy’s Café & Restaurant on Saturday.
Of the 22 players who joined the tournament, Rasa and Tudela dominated the early rounds. In their first duel in the winner’s finals match, it was Tudela’s selection of Victor that thwarted Rasa, who chose the powerful but slower Kuma, to win the first best-of-five series, 3-1.
While Tudela waited for his opponent in the grand finals, Rasa had to fight his way back to the top by besting Lester “C.O.W.” Garcia in all three rounds to set up a rematch against Tudela. Garcia finished third overall.
In their second best-of-five series, Rasa struggled to keep up with Tudela. But after learning Tudela’s tactics and adjusting accordingly, Rasa decided to change his character to Asuka, who proved to be the better selection. Rasa then pulled a late-game comeback to bag the win and hand Tudela his first loss in the tournament.
After a short break, Tudela’s Victor continued to struggle to find an answer as Rasa’s Asuka dominated their match, 3-0, to successfully defend his title.
“Man, I feel good,” Rasa said. “He [Tudela] wasn’t messing around with my bear shenanigans, but I also had a good read on the lows so that played along.”
Rasa believes that these gaming events “are the best — I love them. I almost didn’t come but I wanted to support the event so that’s why I am here.”
On a side note, Rotaract Club of Saipan President Richard Baleares started his term with a gaming event, RACnarok in 2020, and had ended his tenure with the Summer Showdown Vol. 2.
He thanked event sponsors Marianas Variety, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Pacific Islands Club Saipan, Tupu Cane Juice, Crowne Plaza Saipan, D&Q Saipan and Triple J Saipan.
“Special thanks also to Pepoy’s Café and Restaurant, Saipan Southern High School’s Interact Club, and the Smash & Tekken community!”
Two-time winner Lance “Ponpon” Rasa poses with Rotaract Club of Saipan President Richard Baleares and tournament committee head Simon Necesito during the awards ceremony of Summer Showdown Vol. 2 at Pepoy’s Café & Restaurant in Susupe on Saturday.
Second place Eric “JR3 2D” Tudela Jr. poses with Rotaract Club of Saipan President Richard Baleares and tournament committee head Simon Necesito.
Lester “C.O.W.” Garcia, who placed third, poses with Rotaract Club of Saipan President Richard Baleares and tournament committee head Simon Necesito.
