CNMI vs Guam in MBT opener

The CNMI Junior National players and officials pose for a photo at the departure area of the Saipan International Airport before leaving for Palau last Thursday to compete in the 2016 U17 Micronesian Basketball Tournament. (Contributed Photo)

The CNMI Junior Nationals were scheduled to play their first game in the 2016 U17 Micronesian Basketball Tournament yesterday at the Palau National Gymnasium in Koror.

The Commonwealth bets faced Guam in the 6pm opener in the five-team tournament, while host Palau was slated to meet Yap in the second match at 8pm. Results of last night’s games were unavailable at press time.

The Preston Basa-coached CNMI arrived in Palau for the six-day tournament last Friday and spent the weekend holding training sessions in Koror. The Commonwealth brought 12 players, two coaches, and a manager for the regional event. The team is led by center Jester Kintaro, while other members are N-nes Siech, Ron Atalig, Dean Blake, Jerald Castillo, Aiferson Atan, Jeffrey Castro, Jethro Cruz, Gregory Sablan Jr., Troy Ngirarois, Roberto Paragados Jr., and Keoni Rios. Omar Ajoste is the assistant coach, while Greg Iginoef is the team manager.

After their debut game against Guam, the CNMI Junior Nationals will also play in the curtain-raiser today at 11am against Yap. Only one match is scheduled in the morning, as the Palau versus Guam tiff will take place at 6pm and the Belau (the host’s other team) and Yap duel will be held at 8pm.

The round-robin elimination will continue this Wednesday and Thursday with the CNMI this time challenging Belau at 11am tomorrow. In the Wednesday evening match, the pairings are Guam against Yap and Belau versus Palau. Then on Thursday, the CNMI will close out its elimination round assignment against Palau at 8pm, while Guam will have its last game over Belau at 6pm.

Only the Top 4 teams after the round-robin preliminary round will advance to the playoffs, which will be played this Friday. In the Final Four, the pairings are 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3 with the winners advancing to the gold medal game this Saturday at 6pm. The losers will battle for the third place honors in the 4pm consolation match.

Summer, masters leagues next month
Meanwhile, the Mariana Islands Basketball Federation will be holding two leagues, starting next month.

The association will first have the Inaugural Men’s Summer League at the San Antonio court. The league is hoping to kick off on Aug. 15 and will have two divisions: Open and 40-and-above age group. Only the first 10 teams to register and complete the league reguirements will be allowed to compete.

Entry fee is only $400 and contact person is Boy Garcia (989-6386).

Up next is the masters league for players in the 50-and-above division and matches will be played at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Representatives of interested teams are asked to attend a meeting on Aug. 4 at 6pm at the Oleai Beach Bar and Grill to discuss important details of the league. For more information, contact Basa at 989-6386 or via email at pbasa03@gmail.com. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)