CNMI starts bid in Oceania youth caging today

The CNMI Men’s and Women’s Junior Nationals will begin their bid in the 7th FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament today at the University of Guam Fieldhouse in Mangilao.

The Women’s Junior Nationals will debut against Tahiti, an opening assignment that gave coach Elias Rangamar a relief, as the French colony is not that tough as Australia.

Rangamar’s wards in the first schedule released by organizers were supposed to duel the defending champion in the first round. But in the new schedule, the CNMI Women’s Junior Nationals will meet the Opals last after their second game against Fiji.

The CNMI Women’s Junior Nationals are composed of Dion Diaz, Glorily Williams, Jacqueline Wonenberg, Li’Amwar Rangamar, Mercedes Mesa, Nicole Lebria, Nikita Hofschneider, Noelle Calvo, and Yvette and Yvonne Bennett.

Tahiti’s roster include All-Star member Alizee Lefranc, Haamoe Voirin, Heiura Nena, Herevaea Hamblin, Hinahei Itae-Taata, Oceeane Lefranc, Poenui Tehaamoana, Vairani Tehamoana, and Vanina Potiron.

The CNMI-Tahiti tiff will be played on Court 1 at 1pm.

In the nightcap after the tournament’s opening ceremonies at 7pm, the CNMI Men’s Junior Nationals will go up against host Guam.

Veteran coach Rufino Aguon will be calling the shots for the CNMI junior cagers and he expects the home crowd to play an important role in tonight’s game.

“The crowd is always a factor but we must tune them out and just play our game. This is easier said than done but that’s what we must do,” Aguon said.

The CNMI Junior Nationals are composed of Jericho Cruz, Jayvan Tarkong, Allen Moses, Marvin Rabauliman, Jomar Tumaquip, James Camacho, Joseph White, Jose Castro, Bill Babauta, and Antonio Borja.

Aguon is not setting expectations from his boys, as he wanted them to just play how they were thought to play.

“This is our boys’ first and this is an elite tournament, nothing our boys are use to. But if they play hard and smart, who knows?” Aguon said.

Guam played in last year’s FIBA youth caging in New Zealand and finished sixth among the eight teams. New Zealand won the men’s division, beating Australia.

This year’s Guam youth team is composed of Albert Andrea, Brandon Cardines, Christian Afaisn, Derrick Roysten, Domonic Sablan, Ervin Jose, John-Edie Mose, Kurt Carter, Mychal Borja, and Norvin Garduque.

Other games on the opening day tonight are (men’s): Palau vs. Australia; Tahiti vs. Fiji; and PNG vs. New Caledonia; (women’s): Palau vs. PNG; Australia vs. Fiji; and Guam vs. New Caledonia.

The eight teams in the men’s and women’s divisions are divided into two pools with squads having three games each in the pool play. All four teams will advance to the playoffs, which will have a double-elimination format.