By James Sablan
james@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
IN a high-stakes showdown for the Fanihi B Division Bud Light Cup of the 2025 SEDA Bud Light Dart League, Black 8 Dank Shooters and Tambayan Punk Pank secured separate victories over their respective opponents to advance in the tournament bracket during the quarterfinal matches held on Monday, Dec. 22, at various locations.
Black 8 Dank Shooters secured a seat in the semifinals after outlasting Bravo Tracy Smokers, 8–7.
The evening began with both teams evenly matched. Tracy Smokers’ Anthony Borja Jr. and Atarino Halito opened the scoring by claiming the first game of the opening Partners 501 set, while Dank Shooters’ Tristan “Joseph” Javier and Napu Santos responded by taking the remaining game to force the first deadlock of the night, 1–1.
Momentum then shifted in favor of Dank Shooters during the Singles Crazy Cricket set, as strong individual performances by Jesstin Laniyo, Chioni Dela Cruz, and Jeff “Dahmer” Castro outclassed their respective opponents for a 3–1 run, giving their team a 4–2 cushion.
During the Partners 701 set, the Tracy Smokers pairs of John “Dark” Babauta and Halito, along with Borja and Frank Warakai, swept the set to force the second deadlock of the night. However, Dank Shooters regained control in the Singles Half-It set, with Laniyo, Santos, and Dela Cruz responding with a 3–1 run to retain the upper hand, 7–5.
Tracy Smokers continued to fight back, sweeping both games of the ensuing Partners Regular Cricket set to tie the match once again, 7–7. Despite the surge, they were unable to carry the momentum into the final Team 1101 match, as Dank Shooters’ chemistry proved decisive, clinching the final point needed to secure the 8–7 victory and a berth in the semifinals.
Also advancing to the semifinals was Tambayan Punk Pank, which eased past Bravo Armed and Hammered, 8–2.
As of press time, results from the other two quarterfinal matches were unavailable.
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.
