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15 teams join NMI RBA spring caging
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Posted on Feb 25 2021
Rollers defenders challenge the shot of a Sun Palace player during a holiday tournament last month at the Koblerville Gymnasium, which is also the venue of the ongoing Rollers Basketball Association-hosted event. (Saipan Tribune)
After its Christmas basketball tournament, Rollers Basketball Association is back on the court with the staging of the NMI RBA Spring Madness.
The competition kicked off over the weekend at the Koblerville Gymnasium with 15 teams spread in three divisions—co-ed U14/women’s U17, boys U17, and men’s U19.
Four squads are entered in the co-ed U14/women’s U17 with Lady Rollers, Rollers Black, Rollers White, and the Ol’Aces making up the field. The division has a double-elimination format and played its first two games last weekend.
Rollers Black drew first blood in the co-ed U14/women’s U17 following a 54-22 rout of the Lady Rollers, while the Ol’Aces also had an easy victory in the opening week after dominating Rollers White, 31-8. Rollers Black and the Ol’Aces will meet this Saturday for the first finals berth, while the Lady Rollers and Rollers White will collide in a make-or-break match also this weekend. The championship game in the division is set for March 13 with the team entering the finals with an unbeaten record getting a twice-to-beat advantage.
Rollers players, seen here in action during a tournament last month, are back competing at the Koblerville Gymnasium. (Contributed Photo)
In the boys U17, which has six teams, the Ol’Aces had a winning debut following a 66-52 triumph over the Hotshots. Rollers Black, Chinatown Titans, Kagman Rollers, and Rollers White are the other teams entered in the division.
The CT Titans were scheduled to have their first game against the Kagman Rollers last Sunday, but results of the game were unavailable at press time. The Ol’Aces were also slated to meet Rollers Black last Sunday, while Rollers White will have its debut in the tournament this Saturday when it takes on the winner in the duel between the Titans and Kagman Rollers.
In the men’s U19, the Sonics and Ol’Aces prevailed in their respective opening matches last weekend.
The Sonics hammered Rollers Red last Saturday, 63-29, while the Ol’Aces won over Rollers White, 59-43. Next up for the Sonics is Rollers Black and the opposing teams will slug it out this Sunday. The winner of the weekend tiff will face the Ol’Aces in the semis game on March 7.
