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CNMI Nationals beef up frontline
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Posted on Apr 23 2009
The CNMI Nationals have added two big men on their roster in preparation for their collision against towering frontliners from seven other teams participating in the 2009 FIBA Oceania Basketball Tournament.
CNMI Nationals coach Rufino Aguon said Kelvin Fitial and Mel Manibusan, who both stand more than six feet tall, are now training with the 10 players consistently practicing for the Commonwealth’s team.
Aguon added he expects another big man—Oscar Ada—to suit up for the CNMI Nationals next month. Ada is studying in the mainland and played for the Nationals during the Micronesian Games on Saipan in 2006.
“If these guys are committed to the workouts, I do not see any reason for them not to make the team. They will give us the much needed presence in the paint and increase our rebounding power,” Aguon said.
Besides the three big men, Aguon has a pool of youth players who started training mid last year. They are Jayvan Tarkong, James Camacho, Joseph White, Jericho Cruz, Quincy Johnson, Joemary Tumaquip, Allen Moses, Marvin Rabauliman, Pete Iguel, and Keoni Chariton.
Johnson and Iguel are training for the Commonwealth team for the first time, while the eight others had already suited up for the CNMI Junior Nationals in last year’s Oceania Youth Tournament in Guam.
Ringo Reyes and Bill Babauta are also in the pool, but are doing their training separately from the rest of the group. Reyes is based on Tinian and did not play a single game for the Nationals during the Budweiser caging. Babauta is studying in Guam and played only in two playoff matches for the Nationals.
Aguon said the final lineup for the CNMI Nationals will be announced at the end of May.
The CNMI will be hosting the Oceania caging from June 20 to 28.
The host will contest the men’s and women’s division titles against teams from powerhouse Australia and New Zealand, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tahiti, Guam, and Palau.
Australia took the gold medal in the women’s division of the last Oceania Basketball Tournament held in Suva, Fiji in 2001 after clobbering Tahiti in the finals, 90-60. New Caledonia ruled the men’s division after edging Fiji in the title game, 81-80.
