From hoops front-liner to COVID-19 front-liner

Bartley Demapan, right, poses with colleagues at an assisted care facility in Daly City, California. (Contributed Photo)

Bartley Demapan left for the U.S. mainland in October last year and thus began his journey from one of the best basketball front-liners in the CNMI to now a front-liner in the fight against COVID-19.

The 5’10” power forward is now a caregiver in an assisted living facility in Daly City, California and actually tested positive for the coronavirus in mid-January.

“The hardest part when I got positive with COVID-19 was being quarantined for 14 days. I couldn’t see people and it made it more difficult for me because I can’t really do much [during quarantine],” he told Saipan Tribune in a message through social media.

The 34-year-old said with COVID-19 vaccinations rolling out in the Bay Area, the situation in Daly City when it comes to COVID-19 has now improved.

“Pretty much it’s getting better now. People are now getting their vaccines and hopefully in a few months, things will be back to normal,” he said.

Demapan, who won an MVP in the 2017 JEM Company/Mobil Basketball League, said he moved to California to spread his wings and see what life has to offer him.

“I moved to California last October. It was not an easy decision being far away from my family. The reason why I decided to move is I would like to explore what opportunities I would have outside of Saipan.”

Bartley Demapan in action while suiting up for TanHoldings in the 2017 JEM Company/Mobil Basketball League. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Between adjusting to a new life in California and work as a caregiver, Demapan hasn’t had much time playing his favorite sport since arriving in Daly City.

He did play some pick-up games last weekend and was surprised to find out that some of the players he went up against were not accustomed to physical play.

Demapan also said he couldn’t see himself playing the guard position even though basketball players in California on average hover around 6 feet.

“Nah, can’t see myself playing the 1 (point guard) or the 2 (off-guard) position, I’d rather play in the bottom.”

The son of Raphael DeLeon Guerrero Demapan Sr. and Pat Damaso Demapan of Susupe said he misses Saipan a lot and hopes to come back for vacation before the end of the year.

“My message to my Demapan family is I really miss you guys. I can’t wait to go back home and always remember that I love you guys and to all my friends back home especially to my Alii Blue Haus fam and Alvin ‘General Bato’ Alvarez, ‘The Chief’ will be back and I’ll see you guys soon!”

Demapan said you can’t really appreciate Saipan until you leave the island, as the simple life, year-round beaches, nice people around, and playing basketball everyday are now only cherished memories for him.

In all, Demapan won eight championships in local leagues on Saipan and was named to the mythical team several times.