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Blake, Santos to vie for slot on 3×3 team
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Posted on Feb 04 2019
Coby Santos, center, loses the ball after drawing a foul on Ivan Devero, left, during their semis game in a 3×3 basketball tournament late last month at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
Dean Blake and Coby Santos will be vying for a spot on the CNMI Men’s National Basketball Team (3×3) that may compete in the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa.
One of them will fill the void left by Preston Basa, who will not be able to suit up for the national squad due to an injury.
“With Preston injured, I’ve invited two other national players to try out for the remaining slot left void by Preston’s injury. Dean and Coby are both familiar with 3×3, having played in youth 3×3 tournament held in Singapore last September,” Mariana Islands Basketball Federation official and national head coach Elias Rangamar said.
Incidentally, Santos and Blake played for Mix Breed, which ruled the men’s open division of an MIBF-sanctioned tournament late last month. They defeated Jack Lizama, Douglas Schmidt, Dan Andro Barcinas, who are the three other members of the team that may go to Apia this summer to play in the quadrennial event.
“The men’s national will be represented by the standing national team from the last Mini Games (2017 in Vanuatu), namely, Jack, Douglas, Dan, and the replacement of Preston,” Rangamar said.
“We will be sending both men’s and women’s teams to Samoa, but with reservations. If by April we feel that we’re not going to meet our financial obligations to the Games, then we’ll pull out,” the MIBF official said.
Each delegate to the Pacific Games will need around $3,000 to cover the airfare, per diem, and accommodation costs in Samoa. Northern Marianas Sports Federation will provide financial aid to each delegate, but has yet to decide on the amount. Each team has to arrange their own trip to Samoa, while participants could withdraw from the competition without being slapped with a fine.
Meanwhile, there is also one slot left on the women’s squad, as former member Taz Deleon Guerrero could not play due to a family commitment. Alliyah Fernandez, Desrei Camacho, and Analei Santos are invited to try out for the remaining spot with the winner forming the quartet with Eleina Santos, Liamwar Rangamar, and Jan Travilla.
