3×3 FIBA Jamfest in August

Nasi, the official mascot of the 2017 Pacific Mini Games, poses with Vanuatu Basketball Federation president Franck Franconieri, front row center, and the hosts’ 3×3 players. (2017 MiniI Games Photos)

The Mariana Islands Basketball Federation will be holding the inaugural 3×3 FIBA Jamfest in August, which will be held for two weekends in separate venues. The first weekend, the elimination phase will be from Aug. 19 to 20 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, while the finals will be on Aug. 26 in a still-to-be-determined outdoor basketball court.

MIBF official Elias Rangamar is advising interested basketball players in the CNMI to form a team with four players both in the men’s and women’s divisions. Registration for the tournament is $50 per team in the five age divisions (U15, U18, open, masters over-40, and masters over-50).

“We’re also inviting players from Tinian and Rota to form their teams and join. Only four players in one team,” said Rangamar.

All FIBA (Fédération Internationale de Basketball or International Basketball Federation) 3×3 rules will apply and Rangamar said they would hold a one-day orientation/seminar on Aug. 12 to explain regulations of the latest form of the game that would make its Olympic debut in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games.

“We’re also going to have Aug. 12 as registration day. At the same time, we’re going to hold a clinic or seminar to explain the rules. The rules in 3×3 are different from the regular basketball games. This is one is much faster, so we need all teams and players to understand all rules and regulations,” Rangamar told Saipan Tribune.

He added the tournament would also be a qualifier for the Pacific Mini Games with the winning team in the men’s open division representing the CNMI in the Dec. 2-15 quadrennial event in Port Vila, Vanuatu this year.

However, all members of the winning team must be U.S. citizens or a holder of a passport of the country that they are going to represent in the Mini Games.

The inaugural 3×3 tournament is also MIBF’s fundraising event where proceeds would help the winning team’s trip to Vanuatu.

Rangamar said the CNMI would field a women’s team to the Mini Games if the winning squad would be competitive enough. “We want to send a team that could go up against the other countries. So we won’t get blown out by the other teams.”

He added they are now looking for sponsors and asked interested businesses to get in touch with him. He is also working on the registration and waiver forms for Aug. 12.

For more information, contact Rangamar at the Ada Gym 234-6672 or 287-6347 or email eli_rag@yahoo.com.