‘Mich’ Ultra Cup starts today with 12 teams

Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation president James Lee and participating teams sort out the 2nd 2023 “Mich” Ultra Cup Men’s Islandwide Basketball League rosters during the technical meeting at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium conference room last week. (MARK RABAGO)

The 2023 “Mich” Ultra Cup Men’s Islandwide Basketball League will uncork today, April 18, at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium conference room.

The opening ceremony is scheduled to start at 5:30pm with Gov. Arnold I. Palacios expected to make the ceremonial toss on opening day in the newly refurbished and air-conditioned gymnasium at the Oleai Sports Complex. 

A total of 12 teams will be seeing action in the premier competition of the Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation. 

The dozen teams contending for the “Mich” Ultra Cup are Team Marianas of Coby Santos, Chioni Dela Cruz, and Lucio Aldan; OG Rollers of Frankie Satur and Don Teregeyo; Save More of Joseph Torres and John Mejarito; Ali’i Blue Haus of Elmer Esdrelon, Brendon Talania, and Jaymark De Guzman; Martech Ol’Aces of Douglas Schmidt, Airson Atan, and Freddie Pelisamen; Bridge Capital of Craig Padayao and Matt Duenas; CK Saints of Kelvin Fitial and Leo Galarse, Unity Trade of Raymond Velasco and Austin Camacho; La Mesa Kusina of DJ Ong and Tony Kim; Socho of Jonathan Limes and John Nekaifes; New Chang Ming Market of Mac Mintac and Rodel Pastrana; ad Roil Soil OG of Keoni Chariton and Ponce Rasa.

League commissioner Marlene Lumabi wished all the 12 teams the best of luck in the upcoming tournament.

“I’m excited to see everyone come out and play. Good luck to all the teams and let’s have a solid tournament!” she said.

Two games will be played each play date, which are Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. 

The league will be using FIBA rules and regulations and teams are allowed a maximum of 14 players each—with at least five players 21 years old or older—along with three coaches.

Participating teams will be divided into two pools—Pool A and Pool B. Teams in each pool will play each other in a round-robin affair with the Top 4 teams advancing to a single-elimination format. 

Under that crossover format, the top seed in Pool A will take on the fourth seed on Pool B, second seed in Pool A will play the third seed in Pool B, third seed in Pool A will square off against the second seed in Pool B. and the fourth seed in Pool A will duke it out against the top seed in Pool B. The four surviving teams will then play each other for the two slots in the finals.

As for the prizes, the champion team will receive a much ballyhooed House at MarPac perpetual trophy, $500 in cash, five cases of Michelob Ultra, and 17 Michelob Ultra diddy bags,

NMIBF earlier said it was naming the league’s MVP the Uncle Paul Shimizu MVP Award.

Shimizu was not only one of MarPac’s owners, but also was a former Guam national basketball player, gold medalist, and national coach. 

Shimizu, who passed away in March 2021, was the youngest of four siblings born to Ambrosio Shimizu, the founder of Ambros, Inc., which owns MarPac.

As such, the player who wins the Uncle Paul Shimizu MVP Award will get an MVP trophy, $200 cash, a case of Michelob Ultra, a Michelob Ultra cooler, a Michelob Ultra Yeti flask, and other Michelob Ultra gear.

For more information and inquiries, email the organizing NMIBF at nmibasketballfederation@gmail.com.