One Pacific caging: Engaging, balanced league

Pacific Hardware’s Ken Viray drives against Napa Auto Part’s Paulo Rafols, left, and Ivan Devero during an earlier game in the One Pacific caging at the Civic Center Court. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

After its successful inaugural season, the One Pacific Promotional Basketball League 2020 is back with a bigger field.

From 12 last year, the One Pacific caging drew 16 squads in the open division, plus eight masters teams this season.

Organizer Nelson Samson and game officials head Sonny Ebuen attributed the league’s growth at this early to its balanced competition and ability to engage the spectators during the matches.

“We have an announcer every game, bringing more life and excitement to every match. Spectators like it when the announcer does play-by-play account of the games or gives nickname to a player. It’s like they are watching professional matches. Often, you would also hear the crowd commenting about the game or talking to the players from the sidelines. The atmosphere is very exciting, especially when we have close games,” Ebuen said.

Tiago Quirantes, one of the regular spectators of the One Pacific matches at the Civic Center Court, said the league reminds him of home.

“I came from the Philippines where basketball is the most loved sport. For someone like me, who left home to work on Saipan, watching basketball games at Civic is like a piece of home. It’s loud, lively, and fun. After a stressful day at work, knowing there’s a league at civic is kind of a relief. Plus, it’s a way for me to pass the time and meet people who love the sport as much as I do,”Quirantes said.

Blue Haus’ Ed Pangelinan unloads an open jumper during their opening game against Pacific Hardware in the One Pacific caging last February at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Besides having live matches, Samson said the league has a balanced competition. He said that before the tournament started, they told teams that only four “star” (high-level) players are allowed per each squad, making the playing field pretty even. Those who decided not to recruit “star” players and have their own employees play for their squads are permitted to do so.

Ebuen added that the league is very strict when it comes to playing in complete uniform.

“We want an organized league and one of the ways to do that is to have teams play in complete uniform. We also talked to players/team captains/coaches and told them before the tournament that we will not tolerate excessive complains, so they have to keep their temper in check because a lot of people are watching us and we have to show the fans a good example,” Ebuen said.

Right now, the league is on break due to the coronavirus pandemic, but wishes to bring more exciting games to spectators when it’s safe to return to the court.

The second edition of the One Pacific caging has just started when matches were suspended late March. The 16 teams are divided into two groups while the eight-team masters division has yet to kick off its competition.

Loving Hands and Mawati are the early leaders in Pool A with similar 2-0 records, while inaugural season runner-up Connie’s BBQ is in second place with its 2-1 mark. Other teams in Pool A are 6JMS (1-1), Star Water (1-1), Lakay (1-1), Saipan Warriors (0-2) and Min Yang (0-3). In Pool B, Napa Auto Parts is the pacesetter with its 3-0 card and is followed by Apex Remittance (2-0), MJD (2-0), Blue Haus (2-1), Pacific Hardware (1-2), Hong Ye (0-2), JNL (0-2), and IT&E (0-3).