9 teams to vie for JP World caging title

Shirley’s Coffee Shop’s Fradel Sedillo pulls up for a jumper during their game against Saipan Tribune/RMS in the Tan Holdings caging last month at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. Sedillo and company will return to action this weekend when Shirley’s Coffee Shop competes in the JP World caging. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Preston Basa-backed Public School System leads the nine-team league and will be joined by Commonwealth Utilities Corp., McDonald’s, Docomo Pacific, Micronesian Brokers, Inc./Anchor, Saipan Ice & Water, Top Development, Inc. Shirley’s Coffee Shop, and Joeten.

Basa’s PSS, MBI/Anchor, and Shirley’s Coffee Shop are the early favorites in the league as they will be bannered by players who are familiar faces in the various local leagues. Joining Basa on PSS is fellow CNMI Men’s National Team member Ezra Caro and former Commonwealth stalwart Mel Manibusan and Joe Villacrusis. Completing the squad are Bobby Coldeen, Maveric Itibus, Jerry Diaz, Jude Loste, Jacob Villagomez, Ed Guinto, and John Jimeno.

Shirley’s, which recently placed runner-up to Pacific Islands Club in the Inter-Hotel caging, will be pinning its hopes on mobile center Erick Dela Rosa and 3-pointer shooters Rommel Usi, Sean Rabasto, and John Jugos. They will be joined by Fradel Sedillo, Angel Catungal, Vince Manibusan, Ariel Drillon, Jess Nicdao, and Josephus Aguilar.

MBI/Anchor has scoring machine Ivan Devero, who will be backed up by another explosive guard Angelo Fernando and veteran Pete Lizama. Also playing for MBI/Anchor are big man Andy Viola and Art Trajano, Aries Cordero, Jun Pineda, Jeff Garcia, White Capalad, Dennis Yoshimoto, and J.C. Cino.

Joeten is headed by young playmaker Kevin De Leon and veteran guard Ferdie Tobias. At the frontline, the team has Alex Lauron and Syl Teregeyo, while other members of the 12-man squad includes Dixon Kwon, Jason and James Sablan, Juanito Sambile, Teo Alfonso, Dean Borja, Mario Jacob, and Joey Tudela.

Twelve players are also listed on CUC’s roster. The list includes James Benavente, Henry del Rosario, Vince Iglecias, Simada Iramk, Robert Lieto, Alain Nunez, George Poquiz, Oscar and Johnson Sablan, Donald Seidler, Jun Camacho, and Andrew Masga.

Docomo only logged 10 players with Tony Diaz leading the list. He will be teaming up with Robert Sanciangco, Conrad Sablan, Jaynard White, Jayson Hayes, Alverick Alvarez, Rick Sanches, Roderick Santos, Alfredo Napo, and Kevin McCale.

McDonald’s has a complete 12-man lineup, which will be bannered by the Achas siblings and cousins, Larry, Charlie, Joseph, Mike, and McLain. Completing the squad are Joe Ayuyu Jr., Tim Deleon Guerrero, Gil Gapor, Manny Corpuz, Mark Rigua, and Richard Cruz.

Top Development. Inc. listed 11 players and will be anchored by former DLX caging Finals MVP Raymond Velasco. Allen Reyes, Nestor Arreza, Jomel Pollisco, Jose Mafnas, Rolly Pangilinan, Peter Lumayag, Sefich Lorenzo, Frank Taitano, Renato Barros, and Cerbert Eamilao complete the roster.

Games in the JP World caging will be played every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with two matches scheduled per playing day.

Meanwhile, the opening ceremony is slated at 4pm, while two games will be played in the opening day. The two matches will be determined via draws.