Fighting Fitz plays in GBL exhibition games

The opening week of the 2011 Garapan Basketball League IT&E Cup will feature exhibition matches between the visiting Fighting Fitz and two all-star teams on island.

League organizers said that after the opening on Saturday at the Garapan Basketball Court, the Fighting Fitz, composed of crewmembers of navy destroyer, USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62), will be playing against the GBL All-Stars and another selection made up local players this Sunday night.

First up for the Fighting Fitz will be the team composed of Freddie Peliseman, Mike Olaitiman, Kelvin Fitial, Tony, Ed, and Zack Diaz, Peter Camacho, Ponce Rasa, Trevor Ogumoro, Tim Wesley, and Romeo Iginoef. Elias Rangamar will coach the local players with Joe Diaz serving as assistant and James Lee and Jerry Diaz as trainers. Game time is at 7pm.

In the second game, the Fighting Fitz will take on the GBL All-Stars, who have Elmer Esdrelon, Ivan Devero, Bon Tamayo, Wowie Abuel, Jomar Tumaquip, Darwin Barbo, Kae Bernardo, Junar Guiab, Errol Peredo, Jawn Joyner, Marlon De Dios, Glen Aquino Elgeanne Mangali, and JR Barrios as players and Norman Del Rosario, Marlon Sison, and Jun Pantaleon as coaching staff members.

“We would like to invite the public and all basketball fans to trick-or-treat this Halloween weekend at the Garapan court and watch these exciting games. Let’s give the visiting US Navy a warm welcome,” GBL league director Rey Perez said in an email to Saipan Tribune.

Perez added that GBL would like to thank the Master Basketball Federation of the NMI, IT&E, and Star Water for making the event possible.

Saturday’s opener

The GBL will kick off with eight teams battling for the IT&E Cup. The list includes BlueHaus/Satbahi, Ol’Aces, FGC Construction, R-Rebels, Mobil, Andok’s, NMC Proa, and host Konflikt/IT&E Blue.

The champion squad will receive $1,000 cash plus a trophy, while various individual awards and other prizes will also be awarded after the competition. During the opening ceremony, awards will also be presented to the teams with the best muse and uniforms. Two games will be played this Saturday after the 4pm opening.

For more information about GBL, email gbl670@yahoo.com, visit the group’s Facebook page listed under Garapan Basketball League or call Perez at 989-8759.