SCLC caging holds awards ceremony for masters, open divisions

Award presenters from back, left to right, Saipan Centennial Lions Club service chair Mikey Guirey, Atoy Banting, representative candidate Frank Angel, SCLC president Marie Javier, SCLC Marketing chair Racquel Floyd, Rep. Roy Ada (R-Saipan), Eden Mercado, Alice Barbo, and Marie Rose pose with masters division champion team Blue Haus. (LEIGH GASES)

Team and individual awardees were feted when the Inaugural SCLC Basketball League held an awards ceremony after Game 2 of the best-of-three finals between Team Marianas and Lakay/Islander last Tuesday at the Civic Center Basketball Court in Susupe.

Leading the team awardees was Blue Haus after going undefeated in the masters division. Blue Haus is made up of John Santos, Elmer Esdrelon, Nelson Samson, Jovit Jumacquio, Bruce Berline, Jojo Elchico, Ed Diaz, Tony Diaz, Richard Peredo, Matt Buenabajo, Edwin Santos, and Junar Guiab. The latter was also adjudged finals MVP for leading his team in its two-game sweep of Eagle Construction in the finals.

Guiab said the team is glad that they were able to complete another undefeated season. “It was very fun. I am with Blue Haus and we were just focusing on the perfect record, which we did the past couple of years also.”

Trophies were also presented to runner-up Eagle Construction and second runner-up NAPA Auto Parts, which also won best uniform in the masters division. Lakay/Islander won best in uniform in the open division. Saipan Maga’lahi Eagles took home the sportsmanship award in the masters category with Blue Haus Alii getting the same award in the open division.

Blue Haus Alii also was given the third place trophy in the open category.

For individual awards, the best defensive player award in the masters division was given to Emmerson Claveria of Saipan Maga’lahi Eagles, while best in three points was given to John Santos of Blue Haus in the masters and Aiken Ege of Supertech Team in the open division.

The trophies were presented by Saipan Centennial Lions Club president Marie Javier, SCLC club service chair Mikey Guirey, SCLC IPP Arceli Lizama, basketball league coordinator Boy Garcia, SCLC marketing chair Racquel Floyd, Rep. Roy Ada (R-Saipan), and representative candidate Frank Angel.

“We are very pleased to be invited here at this event. We were very grateful for [the Lion’s Club] because they’ve been around for the longest time…they were just informing me about projects that they’re going to run within the community. I really do want to contribute. I’m very happy and I’m pleased to be around so I can see the culture that they have and also share some ideas as to how we can help and assist and promote a healthy and happy living. They performed very well. I think everybody deserves an award and most especially the committee for hosting such a great event,” said Ada.

After Game 3 of the open division finals last Thursday, Jeffrey Castro was named finals MVP after leading Team Marianas to the Promised Land, while his coach, Joe Diaz, was named best coach.

“I’m just proud because getting this award is an honor because of the team. They just believed in the system and I want to thank the Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation for sponsoring the event for the boys to get more tune-up games. I want to thank Pacific Amusement also for sponsoring our reversible jerseys,” said Diaz.