Former BANMI official Abner Venus passes away

Venus

Abner Venus, one of the most influential basketball figures in the CNMI, passed away last Monday. He was 58 years old.

The former official of the Basketball Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, where he served as president and board member many times, is survived by his loving wife, Cristy and children Ruby, Jul, Marc, and James.

BANMI is the precursor of the Northern Mariana Islands Basketball Federation. 

Elias Rangamar, CNMI Hall of Famer and part of the old BANMI board with Venus, said the Iloilo in the Philippines native was a contemporary of his.

“Ab I believe is the same age as me. He went to Mt. Carmel School while I went to Marianas High School. He liked to boast that they were the first private school to ever beat a public school. I told him they were lucky I was not playing hoops back then,” he joked.

The CNMI developmental coach for both athletics and basketball added that under Venus, CNMI basketball unmistakably had its heyday.   

“I think basketball was at its prime in terms of leagues and youth development during his tenure as president of BANMI. He was also instrumental in getting the longest running youth program—Rotary Youth Basketball League—in the islands along with Mr. Frank Diaz. It ran for over 25 years,” he said.

From left, Marc Venus, Abner Venus, and Gabriel White when the latter last visited Saipan in 2017. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Rangamar added that he and Venus shared the same passion for basketball and they even had plans to write a book about CNMI basketball history from the Peace Corp years to the present along with the Filipino basketball pioneers during the 1970s. 

“My heart goes out to his wife, kids, and family. I will miss him dearly,” he said.

Gabriel White, former head of the basketball referees association and a former CNMI national basketball player, said Venus was a mentor, a colleague, and overall a fellow basketball junkie like him.

“I knew Abner Venus ever since I was a boy, when I would follow my father to basketball games and practices at Mount Carmel School in the late 1970s and early 1980s.  I grew very attached to Abner and his family over the course of my life growing up.  To hear of his passing truly breaks my heart, and it is hard for me to find the words to say about him right now.”  

Personally, White shared that Venus played many roles in his life.

“He was a brother who made time for me and always took me under his wing; a mentor who helped bring me up throughout my playing and coaching years, the administrative work we did for basketball in the Northern Marianas, and even my officiating career; and that favorite uncle who comforted you when things weren’t going your way, and so much more…Basketball brought us together over the decades, and we both loved it, but not as much as he loved his wife and family.  He always made me feel like I was his family too, and I love him forever for that.”

He added that basketball in the CNMI would not have developed and grown to its glory days had it not been for Venus and a handful of others who sacrificed their time and efforts for the sport.  

“From grassroots to the senior national teams, to the administrative work he put in since the days of the Saipan Amateur Basketball Association—the first national governing body for basketball in the CNMI—to its evolution into the BANMI, there is so much basketball history in the Northern Marianas that many do not know about, all thanks to the work of Abner Venus.”

He also suggested that Venus be enshrined posthumously in the Northern Marianas Sports Association Hall of Fame, along with his contemporaries—Michael White, Antonio Rogolofoi, Elias Rangamar, the 1994 CNMI Men’s National Basketball Team (Micronesian Games silver medalists), 2006 CNMI Women’s National Basketball Team (Micronesian Games Gold Medalists), and many others who truly represent the legends of basketball in the Northern Mariana Islands.

“On behalf of my familia to the Venus familia, we lift heartfelt prayers for Abner, and we send our love and deepest condolences.  May the Lord bless you always. Rest in love and peace,” said White.

Former NMSA president Michael White, who is Gabriel’s father, is also sorry after hearing of Venus’ passing.

“He did a lot for the sport of basketball in the CNMI.  I hope that his memory will be a blessing to his family.”

Jorge De Guzman, a former player of Venus, said he owes what he achieved in the sport to his former mentor. 

The many time MVP of local leagues said aside from developing him as a player, Venus also helped him to be employed at Microl Toyota in 1995. 

“I have a lot of good memories with Abner, especially in basketball. He was such a kind person in and outside of the basketball court.  It’s really sad that he’s not with us anymore.”

One of the referees under him, Rex Yabut, seconded De Guzman when he said Venus was a very kind human being and he’s only one of hundreds he helped. Yabut said Venus helped him not only in his development as a basketball referee but also his personal growth. 

“In times that I was in the lowest of the lows, he and his family were always there to help. It’s really sad that he has passed but at least he can rest now.”

Ruel Nava, a basketball table official, said Venus was the person who pushed him to be involved in basketball and be part of BANMI. 

“What I remember most is we’re always together almost every night at different basketball courts because of the many leagues. It’s usually only on Mondays that I could stay home because there was no game that day.”

Like Nava, Ferdie Tobias said Venus was the one who pushed him to become a referee. 

Former United Filipino Organization president Bong Malasarte said he always admired Venus’ drive in organizing basketball leagues. 

“That’s where he was in his best element. You see that he’s happy when you see his eyes almost disappear when he smiles. He’s also such a good friend and will never let you down.”

Basketball legends Elmer Pineda, Danny Bicera, and Ed Cosino all played under Venus and almost echoed each other on how good a coach, manager, and friend he was.

“He was my manager in basketball and he’s such a good person and anytime you need anything he’s always there to help and support you,” said Pineda, who is also now a referee.

Bicera said Venus personally visited him at the Nauru Building where he worked to recruit him to play for Toyota Wheels. 

“That’s the first time I met everybody in the team. He didn’t only form a team but a family. There was always beer and food everytime we won a game and a big party after every championship with lechon. He always has this way of helping people out. He’s a big loss for the sport of basketball in the Marianas,” he said, adding that it’s unfortunate he cannot fly to Saipan to give his last respects to Venus and his family.  

Cosino, for his part, said before Venus became his close friend, they were rivals in basketball.

“He always recruited good players to try and beat our team, but we always managed to win the championships in the end. Then he recruited me to be part of Toyota Wheels and that’s when his team finally started to win championships. He’s one of the reasons basketball became popular on Saipan. Abner was a good coach and manager but even a better friend,” he said.