CNMI men’s team bows out of MBT

The CNMI men’s basketball team kissed its medal hopes goodbye after losing to Kosrae, 67-55, yesterday in the 2004 Micronesian Basketball Tournament being held at the University of Guam field house.

Like its previous two games, the CNMI was strong out of the gates and held an 18-13 lead after the opening quarter.

The boys of playing coach Elias Rangamar continued to hold off Kosrae in the second and entered the halftime break with a 31-26 cushion.

Then things began to unravel in the third quarter. With its players finally finding their rhythm, Kosrae went on several runs and when the smoke cleared after the period, the CNMI suddenly found itself down by a dozen points, 41-53.

The CNMI tried to battle back in the fourth quarter but Kosrae seemed to have all the answers and finished the game with lots to spare.

The loss was the second straight for the hastily formed but hard-working team. The CNMI also lost to Marshall Islands 85-68 Tuesday.

The squad, composed of 11 players from Saipan and one from Tinian, had an auspicious debut after blowing out Chuuk, 103-52, Monday.

A win by the CNMI would’ve allowed the boys in blue and white to advance to the Final Four of the tournament, where they possibly would face Guam, who was playing Palau as of press time. But it turned out the Commonwealth’s dream of medalling in the fifth staging of the basketball confab again would’ve to wait.

The CNMI was grouped in Pool A together with Marshall Islands, Kosrae and Chuuk. Pool B is composed of Guam, Palau, Yap, and Pohnpei.

One more game awaits the CNMI tomorrow when they compete in the consolation match against a still to be named opponent.

Members of the team are Rangamar, brothers Peter and Abong Camacho, John Santos, Tony Diaz, Jester Garcia, Mark Wallace, Gabriel White, Oscar Ada, Ambrose Ogumoro, Danny Barcinas, and Jeremy Winkfield.

The CNMI women’s team was still battling Guam as of press time. The girls of coach Don Blondin hold a 1-1 record after splitting their first two games. They lost to Palau last Monday, 72-44, but rebounded with a spirited 57-46 victory over Chuuk Tuesday.

The women’s squad consists of Beverly Igitol, Krista Cruz, Henny Elayda, Chariss Ruluked, Vanessa Diaz, Dana Ngirchongor, Emily Oitreong, Vanessa Mobel, Ladonna Castro.

The men’s and women’s team were also accompanied by FIBA Oceania Level II referee Ricky Itaas and scout Greg Iginoef.