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All set for Rollers basketball tournament
The NMI Rollers Basketball Tournament is all set to open on Sunday, July 26, at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium with 11 teams confirming their participation in the three age divisions.
NMI Rollers Basketball Association president Juan Dela Cruz, front left, and coach Joe Diaz, front right, join some of their players for a group photo after their teams’ practice session yesterday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Jon Perez)
The tournament is set from July 26 to Aug. 2 with the Under-15, U17, and U19 division titles at stake.
NMI Rollers Basketball Association president Juan Dela Cruz said that the final number of teams might change depending on the coaches of each squad.
“As of now there are 11 confirmed teams in the three age divisions—U15, U17, and U19. It all depends on the coaches and they are finalizing their team rosters,” said Dela Cruz.
“Several Guam teams were supposed to join but our contact there, the NPM Falcons, said there will be a lot of basketball clinics down there since it’s summer. Hopefully, the next time our Guam neighbors could join the tournament,” Dela Cruz added.
Tournament officials, the players’ parents, and volunteers held a meeting last Monday night where they continue to discuss details of the weeklong games to avoid any hitches.
They will hold another coaches and officials meeting at 6pm tonight at the Ada gym conference room.
Dela Cruz said International Basketball Federation rules would be followed in the tournament.
“We’re just going to discuss some of the rules, especially the FIBA rules, to the coaches and their representatives,” said Dela Cruz.
The Ol’Aces will be fielding three teams in all divisions, the Sonics will be competing in the U17 and U19 age groups, while the Rollers entered five teams—two in U15, two in U17, and one in U19. The CNMI Women’s National team will also join the tournament.
The Marianas Dolphins, composed mostly of Rollers players, finished second behind eventual champion Guam in the 2015 Micronesian Basketball Tournament U15 last Saturday.
