CNMI Junior All-Stars aim to end drought

The Enforcers first baseman attempts to catch the ball, while a Falcons runner dives to the plate during the Junior League action in the 2014 Saipan Little League Baseball in April at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield. Both the Falcons and Enforcers have players on the CNMI Junior All-Stars that will compete in the regional tournament in the Philippines next week.
(Roselyn B. Monroyo)

“We are aiming to end our World Series drought, “ team manager Bernard Cabrera said in a telephone interview a day before the squad was set to leave for the tournament.

Cabrera, coaches Greg Camacho and Henry Lizama, and the 14-player CNMI Junior All-Stars left Saipan early this morning for the regional competition that will take place from June 28 to July 6 at Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga. The CNMI roster is composed of Donavin Ada, Kier Agda, Kimo Angailen, Donnie Fejeran, Benen Iguel, Tindin Deleon Guerrero, Christian Lizama, Aurel Mendiola, Brandon Pua, Delin Reusora, Lorenzo Sebaklim, Virgil Secharmidal, Jaydon Tenorio, and Nathaniel Torres.

“We have a pretty strong team with a good mix of good hitters and pitchers. They are all set to play their best game after months of training. Hopefully, we will be able to deliver and get back to the World Series,” Cabrera said.

The last time the CNMI made it to the World Series in the Junior League division was in 2009 when it finished the pool play with a 2-2 record. The Commonwealth bets won over Canada, 11-9, and Italy, 13-2, and lost to Puerto Rico, 2-5, and Aruba, 3-5.

To boost their chances for a World Series stint, the CNMI Junior All-Stars must finish in the Top 2 in the elimination round. The Commonwealth youth players are in Pool A of the Junior League contest, joining Chinese-Taipei, Guam, Vietnam, and the host Philippines. The CNMI bets will play Guam in the opener on Monday.

Of the four teams, Cabrera picked Chinese-Taipei as their toughest foe. He added that Guam is also a contender although the CNMI’s neighbor has missed the past few edition of the regional tournament.

Meanwhile, the three other CNMI teams left Saipan yesterday for the tournament in the Philippines. The CNMI Little League All-Stars left yesterday morning, while the Big and Senior teams boarded evening flights.

The CNMI Senior League All-Stars have 16 players on their roster. The list includes Kenji Yamagata, Virolanson Secharmidal, Melvin Sakisat Jr. Jobe Reyes, Jhace Palacios, Franko Nakamura, Michale Muna, Joseph Lifoifoi Jr. Darion Jones, A.J. Evangelista, Jeffrey Dela Cruz, Kelvin Deleon Guerrero, Nathan Camacho, Jerald Cabrera, Jessie Brel, and Craig Aguon. Joining them are team manager Patrick Tenorio and coaches Anthony Leon Guerrero and Jack Deleon Guerrero.

Manager Joseph Flores leads the Big League All-Stars, which have Daniel Smith, Lancaster Secharmidal, Raymond Saralu, Taylor Sablan, Thomas Reyes, Jose Lizama Jr. Aldebert Lizama, Frankie Lieto, Lucio Kalen, Khobby Kaipat, Brett Halstead, Jonah Reyes, Steven Cabrera, and Jeremy Atalig as players. Completing the team are coaches Jonathan Tenorio and John Paul Lizama.

Manny Evangelista is the CNMI Little League All-Stars manager and will be pinning his hopes on Christopher Achas, Vicente Camacho II, Tyrese Camacho, Justin Cangco, Spencer Dickinson, Aven Evangelista, Angei Iguel, Philip Kapileo, Pedro Maratita, Gloyd Martin, Max Pangelinan, Dai Podziewski, Joe Tudela, and Arby Yaguel. Patrick Mendiola and Michael Cruz are the coaches.