Team officials hope World Series vets deliver

CNMI Senior All-Stars officials are pinning their hopes on the four returning players who went to last year’s Senior League Baseball World Series at the Shawn T. Mansfield Stadium in Bangor, Maine.

Nate Camacho is among the four returning members of last year’s CNMI All-Star team that went all the way to the Senior League World Series in Bangor, Maine.
(Jon Perez)

The CNMI All-Stars, the defending Asia-Pacific champions, will begin their quest to return to the World Series when they open up next week’s regional tournament against Guam on Saturday, June 27, at the Francisco M. Palacios ball field.

Craig Michael Aguon, Nathan Paul Camacho, Franko T. Nakamura, and Jobe Anton Reyes are the four returning players and team manager Greg Camacho, along with head coach Lawrence Camacho and assistant John Manibusan are hoping that their World Series experience would rub off to other members of the squad.

“I hope they do the same things that they’ve done in last year’s regionals and they bring the experience and things they have learned from the tournament in the Philippines. We have a good chance of defending the title with the composition of the team,” said manager Greg Camacho.

John Richard Paul Atalig Jr., Anthony Joseph Agulto, Ethan Franklin Babauta, Joaquin Jose Chong, Kekuni Yamaduke Kainoa, Franklin Jay Lizama, Henry Jesus Lizama, Aurel Joe Mendiola, Brandon Win Pua, Lorenzo Lee Sebaklim, Robbin Virgil Secharmidal, and Roke K. Tenorio are the other members of the squad.

“We have the homefield advantage as well as the hometown fans. This will be a great tournament,” added Camacho, whose squad will also challenge Hong Kong and the Philippines in a double-round robin format.

The coaching staff said that Guam and the Philippines would be their toughest opponents but they don’t want to disregard Hong Kong, which may pull off some surprises.

“As much as possible we don’t want to underestimate the other squads. We respect the strengths of the other teams since they are also the champions of their country,” said head coach Lawrence Camacho.

The squad has been practicing three to four times a week since the team was formed after the Senior Little League finals in early May. The group alternately uses the ballfields at Kan Pacific and Tan Ko for its training.

“The pressure is always there. But we always remind these boys to overcome it and keep in mind that they are playing at home, in front of their families and supporters. This should serve as an inspiration,” added Greg Camacho.

Lawrence Camacho said that aside from the four returning members of last year’s Senior All-Star team, the other members were also chosen for the previous Majors and Junior all-star squads.

“We have a good mix here. They are getting there and we see them improve every practice. They only need to be mindful of every situation and be confident with their teammates,” added Lawrence Camacho, who said that they will conclude practice on Monday to give the team the needed rest in time for the June 26 opening ceremony.