90 percent of teams confirmed for NYBA

About 90 percent of the 50 expected teams have already confirmed to compete in the upcoming 2nd Annual DFS Northern Youth Basketball Association Invitational.

This, according to league officials George Cruz and Joe Diaz, who both confirmed that about 15 teams from off-island have already paid the necessary fees and submitted their team rosters.

He said the confirmed off-island teams are from Guam and Tinian.

“We’re still waiting on Rota and some on-island teams,” he said.

With the tournament kicking off in a little more than two weeks, Cruz and Diaz are calling out all teams that have expressed interest in competing but have not met requirements to do so as soon as possible.

“This is the last call to all teams for their rosters and fees,” Cruz said during a recent interview.

Late registration is currently ongoing as teams that have yet to settle their financial obligation lost the chance of entering with a cheaper fee. Late registration fees are $275 for on island teams and $475 for teams from off island. The last day to register is next Friday, Nov. 10.

All off-island teams will be provided three meals per day, while all on-island teams will be provided lunch and dinner.

The NYBA action, which will be held from Nov. 18 to Nov. 25, will feature competition in three divisions.

Division I includes players who are 12-and-under, Division II is reserved for players ages 13-15, and Division III will be for players whose ages are 16-19.

Meanwhile, NYBA will hold its Community Day tomorrow, with registration beginning at 7:30am at the Garapan Basketball Court.

The event will serve as a positive venue for players and coaches for the tournament to make up required workshop hours while doing a part in beautifying the island.

Another players’ workshop will be held this Saturday.

Roughly about 75-80 players have met the workshop hours’ requirement set by the NYBA board. All players and coaches from Saipan that will take part in the tournament must complete the required number of workshops hours to be eligible to compete. Players are required to complete eight hours of training, while coaches will be required to complete six hours.

For more information, email NYBA at nyba-cnmi@hotmail.com, or contact Elias Rangamar at 664-2502 or Cruz at 233-4647.