Albert looking forward to Season 3 of 3×3

Mariana Islands Basketball League commissioner Clint Albert speaks to players on Day 1 of the 3×3 Season 2 tournament last June 26 at the Agape Christian School Gym along Middle Road. (Contributed Photo)

Mariana Islands Basketball League commissioner Clint Albert couldn’t be happier on how the 3×3 Season 2 tournament turned out and said he’s already looking forward to organizing Season 3 of the competition.

“We are very happy that we were able to run and finish Season 2 of the MIBL 3×3. We had more teams that joined than what we expected. Hoping Season 3 would be bigger and better,” he told Saipan Tribune.

The MIBL official said coming into the tournament he didn’t have any doubts they would be able to successfully pull off the 3×3 tournament. He, however, admitted having butterflies in his stomach on the slam dunk competition, which was a first in the CNMI.

“We believe the tournament ran smoothly and with no significant issues. I was personally worried about how the slam dunk exhibition would turn out as it was the first done on island. Thankfully it turned out great due to the great job Coby Santos, Mac Mintac, and Eric Joe did for the very supportive crowd,” said Albert.

Albert said the 3×3 format has slowly become a favorite of MIBL because of its flexibility and it doesn’t really run as long as the ttraditional 5×5 format.

“The advantage for us is that the 3×3 is a faster turnaround meaning our work load as the organizing body does not run for months as compared to running a 5×5 league. In terms of running the games. the 3×3 also gives as an opportunity to run different divisions like the women’s and 16-and-under divisions unlike the 5×5 which you would normally focus on one division at a time, most of the time it’s the men’s open age division,” said Albert.

While 3×3 was relatively easier to organize than 5×5, the MIBL official said overseeing a tournament in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic still presented challenges.

“Of course the major difference is the protocols we needed to put in place and our responsibility to make sure that we keep everyone’s health and safety a top priority,” he said.

The MIBL 3×3 Season 2 tournament’s “MVP” sponsors were Cristianos and IT&E , while the “All Stars” sponsors were Eats Easy, The Game, Shirley’s Coffee Shop, Hot Deals, The Angry Penne, and Latte Built Gym.

Albert also took the opportunity to extend a shout out to Coca-Cola Beverage Co. (Micronesia), Inc. for providing Powerade throughout the two-day tournament, Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation for donating the 3×3 balls, Marianas High School and Agape Christian School for serving as the venue, DJ Kevin Razon, and Victoria De Leon Guerrero who served as their official photographer.

“I also want to thank Typhoon Sports Association on Tinian for joining the 3×3 competition and the referees and the rest of the organizing committee for doing a great job. And of course, to all players for putting on a show and to all the fans who supported the event,” he said.

Hole in the Wall, Dream Girls, and Rollers won the men’s open, women’s, and 16-and-under division of the 3×3 Season 2 tournament, respectively, while Santos defeated Eric Joe in the finals of the slam dunk competition.