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Burglars cause Cruz to miss Pacific Games
Burglars robbed Bobby Cruz the opportunity to represent the CNMI in the XVI Pacific Games.
A few hours before he left for Samoa, Cruz’s car was burglarized at a laundromat and he lost important personal belongings, including his passport.
“I’m disappointed to not be participating because of this unfortunate turn of events. The thieves took more than just my belongings. They took an opportunity from me to compete and represent my home islands and left my team short one member,” said Cruz, who was set to play in the tennis tournament in the Pacific Games.
The CNMI Tennis Team left for Samoa last Thursday morning and the burglary happened less than 10 hours before the group’s flight. Cruz was supposed to join Colin Sinclair, Robbie Schorr, and Ken Song on the men’s team and also join forces in the mixed doubles event with one of the members of the CNMI women’s crew made up of Isabel Heras, Carol Lee, Tania Tan, and Malika Miyawaki. Head coach Jeff Race and assistant coach Lydia Tan joined the Samoa trip last Thursday.
After missing the chance to represent the Commonwealth, Cruz wishes his teammates good luck. He also called on the community to watch each other’s back.
“I’ll be rooting for them and all of Team CNMI. These are very hard times for many people, but we have to refrain from the temptation to take from others. What makes our community strong is that we help one another. We can’t let that value die,” said Cruz, who won medals for the CNMI during the 2010 Micronesian Games in Palau and a silver in canoe in the 2018 Micro Games in Pohnpei.
