Sonics guard Ajoste enlists in Air Force

The CNMI will be losing a talent in basketball in Manuel Ajoste Jr., who will be leaving for Texas today to join the military.

Ajoste plays for the Southern Sonics in the ongoing 2008 Saipan Rotary Club Youth Basketball League and was the top scorer for the team in their first two wins in the 18-and-under caging.

Omar Ajoste, Manuel’s brother and the Sonics’ assistant coach said the prolific scorer’s departure will be a big loss to the team.

“He will leave a big hole on the team. But I am sure his teammates will understand. As much as he loves basketball, he has no choice at this time, but to leave and look for a better future for him and his family,” Omar said.

“Life is getting difficult here,” the older Ajoste said.

Sonics head coach Jesse Tudela could not be reached to comment on Manuel’s departure.

But Omar said Tudela was already informed of Manuel’s plans after the younger Ajoste graduated from Saipan Southern High School, three months ago.

“He wished my brother good luck. He said the team will miss one of the best young shooting guards on the island,” Omar said.

Manuel played for two games for the Sonics in the ongoing Rotary caging.

He scored 19 points in the Sonics’ early rematch with the CNMI Junior Nationals during the opening of the youth caging and lifted his team to a 71-64 victory.

In his last game for the Sonics, Manuel was again the team’s top scorer, firing 17 markers in their 81-49 rout of the G-Stars.

Early this year, Ajoste played for the Manta Rays in the MISO High School Basketball League and was a member of the All-Conference Team, joining teammate Mike Eclevia, MHS’s Jericho Cruz, Kagman’s Vince Teregeyo, and Mt. Carmel’s Kristian Aquino.

The 18-year-old cager helped the Rays regain the high school championship they lost to the MHS Dolphins during the 2006-2007 season. The Rays beat the Dolphins in the finals of the 2007-2008 season, 111-99, with Ajoste firing 18 points in the title game.

Manuel was also part of the Sonics team which claimed the runnerup trophy in last year’s Micronesian Basketball Tournament. The Sonics stunned the CNMI Junior Nationals in the semis, before bowing to host Guam in the title match.

In the Bud Cup, Manuel played against much older foes and helped the Sonics reached the semifinal round of one of the toughest leagues on the island.

Manuel, who will be with the U.S. Air Force, is the second Sonics player to leave the team this year. The first one was Lerio Pagarao, who went back to the Philippines. Jon Lim is expected to follow Manuel in the mainland to also join the military.