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Rangamar to name NMI cage teams in March
Marianas Island Basketball Federation development officer Elias Rangamar gives instructions to players who attended the tryout for the CNMI men’s national basketball team last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Jon Perez)
Marianas Island Basketball Federation development officer Elias Rangamar is expected to name the members of the CNMI men’s and women’s national basketball teams next month.
Rangamar started conducting tryout sessions for both national squads, which would don the CNMI colors in this year’s Micronesian Games in Yap, last week. Tryouts for the women’s team were held on Feb. 5 and last Saturday. The men’s division had its first tryout also last weekend and will have two more Saturday sessions, Feb. 17 and 24, as players from Rota and Tinian are expected to join the pool, which may also include those who are currently in the mainland.
The MIBF official said that they are pressed for time since the ninth edition of the Micro Games is set from July 15 to 28.
“We really need to get things going. After the two Saturdays, I will have a few days to go over the list of player before naming the final lineup. We will only have three months to train before the Micro Games. All off-island players that would be chosen must be here the entire three months to join the team’s practice and preparations,” Rangamar said.
He added that he would review everyone’s capabilities to make sure the CNMI will have a competitive team.
“I would need to go over the names before making a final selection. I would breakdown their strengths and weaknesses. In that way, they would understand why they did not make it to the team. Right now, I just looked at some of their basic skills, like their footwork,” Rangamar said.
Desrei Camacho, who attended the women’s tryout last Saturday, is hoping to earn a spot on the team to get the chance to represent the CNMI.
“I just started playing basketball last year when I was still a freshman. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I will be picked,” said the Marianas High School 10th grader.
She said that Rangamar just let them do some light drills.
“He just watched us do passing and layups. Basically, some of the fundamental basketball drills. He then told us to come back at 6pm on Monday.”
