NMI to send women’s 3×3 team to Vanuatu

ROSELYN B. MONROYO
In this file photo, two Mt. Carmel School players go for the rebound against a Tinian High School player during a local tournament last year. Marianas Islands Basketball Federation will have women’s division games on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota in the 3×3 Hoopfest Marianas. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The CNMI will be represented by two teams in the basketball competition in the 2017 Pacific Mini Games.

Mariana Islands Basketball Federation general secretary Elias Rangamar told Saipan Tribune yesterday that they will also send a women’s squad in the quadrennial meet that will be held in Vanuatu in December. MIBF earlier announced that it will only field a men’s team in the basketball contest in the Mini Games that will run from Dec. 4 to 15 in Port Vila.

The two teams that will don the colors of the Commonwealth will be determined by a series of games in the 3×3 Hoopfest Marianas. The competition will kick off on Saipan with matches to be played from Sept. 5 to 9 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. Then at the Tinian Gymnasium, games will take place on Sept. 10, while Rota will have its matches at the Rota Gymnasium from Sept. 22 to 23. Winners in the Saipan, Rota, and Tinian legs will then compete in the final stage of the 3×3 Hoopfest Marianas on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at the Civic Center Court in Susupe.

Victors in the men’s and women’s open divisions will get slots to the Mini Games. However, players from the winning squad must still meet the eligibility and residency requirements of the Pacific Games Council before they could join Team Marianas in Vanuatu. Athletes eligible for the Mini Games should be citizens/passport holders of the country they are representing and have been residing in that nation for at least five years. In the event that the winning squad has an eligible member, a replacement may be considered. Players who do not meet the eligibility and residency requirements are still encourage to join the 3×3 Hoopfest Marianas, as MIBF would like to further promote the sport in the Commonwealth and open doors for CNMI to compete in other off-island events.

Friday meeting
Team captains or representatives of teams interested in participating in the 3×3 Hoopfest Marianas are asked to attend the event’s final meeting this Friday at 5:30pm at the conference room of the Ada Gym. Entrance fees ($50 per team), copy of rosters, and filled-out registration forms should be turned in at the meeting. Each team is allowed to have a maximum of four players (including one reserve) and every player could register online at 3x3planet.com and create a profile.

For more information, check the event’s Facebook page Marianas Hoop Fest or contact Rangamar at 287-6347/234-6672 or MIBF treasurer Preston Basa at 989-2516.