Former national cager Poland Yamada passes away

The late Poland Yamada, left, waits for his flight to Noumea, New Caledonia, site of the 1987 South Pacific Games. To his right is Guam tennis player Vic April. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Former national basketball player and famed wood carver Poland Yamada passed away last April 4 from cancer in his native Palau. He was 67 years old. 

The 6-foot Yamada represented the CNMI in basketball in the 1987 South Pacific Games in Noumea, New Caledonia and was part of the champion team Hawks in leagues organized by the old Basketball Association of the Northern Mariana Islands. 

He also suited up in various baseball, softball, and volleyball leagues on island and was an accomplished woodcarver and for years sculpted the ornate storyboards given to Hall of Fame inductees of the Northern Marianas Amateur Sports Association, the precursor of the NMSA.

Yamada, who would’ve turned 68 years old this coming Oct. 15, is survived by his wife Maryann Naputi and children Bo Milong, Jose Mista, Rosemary “Rose” Komtilde, and four grandchildren—Kaden,  Tuid, Tianna Esuroi, and Niko Lluul.

Daily mass for the eternal repose of Yamada’s soul is being held at Santa Soledad Church until Wednesday. He will be buried in Palau. 

After retiring from IT&E, Poland Yamada, second from left, did carvings as a hobby, but mostly enjoyed having a cold beer while watching softball games or the company of his grandchildren. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Yamada’s daughter, Rose, said the longtime IT&E employee had been fighting stage 3 liver cancer since October of last year. 

“My family wanted to seek another specialist for his medical needs besides the cancer. That is when he and my mother flew to Palau in February to try and get a referral to Taiwan,” she said.

Yamada was born in Kayangel, a tiny island 15 miles north of Koror, and moved to Saipan permanently in 1986 where he worked for MTC,Verizon, and PTI—all former names of IT&E.

Yamada’s coach in the Hawks team, Sonny Flores, said his former ward was a great leader.

“I had him in my last Hawks team. I was surprised to hear him say that it was his first time as champion in the BANMI league. He was the best center during his time. He was more of a slicer as he always drove inside with speed,” he said.

His teammate in the 1987 South Pacific Games team, Elias Rangamar, said Yamada was one of the quickest center/forwards he ever played with. 

“The first time I played against him in the men’s league, he picked my pocket like three in a row. Never experienced that ever. He was also a great shot blocker. We will miss him surely. Had great rivalries when he played for coach Sonny Flores in the Hawks. They won several titles with him as the catalyst in the bottom,” said the NMSA Hall of Famer

Tony Rogolifoi also has fond memories of playing against the tall but lightning-quick slotman.

“I met Poland Yamada for the first time I believe, in the early or mid-’80s at a basketball game in Chalan Kanoa at the WSR outdoor court. He played for Eli Rangamar’s PeaceMakers team while I was a coach/player representing Team Kanaka. That’s when I witnessed the tall and slender Poland’s basketball skills. His execution on the court, particularly on defense, was just amazing.”  

Rogolifoi, who like Rangamar is a Hall of Famer, said few players on Saipan had that kind of skill before Yamada’s arrival.

“Utilizing his 6’0” frame, his jumping ability and his quickness in the paint defensively, he would wreak havoc on opposing teams, slapping away multiple attempts at the basket with his long arms and high vertical jump. Offensively, I would consider Poland a deadly force under the basket as he is also capable of dunking as well.”    

Yamada and Rogolifoi eventually would become teammates in the aforementioned 1987 CNMI team in the South Pacific Games in Noumea.

“We played much taller players from the bigger islands in the South Pacific but we did well thanks to Poland’s rebounding skills. I am proud to compete alongside him. He continued to play in the local leagues, both basketball and softball, before retiring. We just lost an outstanding athlete who has accomplished and contributed a lot in terms of sports in the CNMI.  We were good friends and I will surely miss him.  He is a humble, respectful person, with a sense of humor that will not be forgotten. Farewell my friend and may you rest in peace!” he said.

Former national hoops coach Rufino Aguon, another Hall of Famer, said while a fierce competitor inside the court, Yamada was a funnyman off it.

“There are a lot of great memories. It’s really hard to pinpoint one but I will always remember him as a very tenacious competitor both on and off the court. On the court he lets his actions speak for him, but off court he would challenge us to go all out.  But afterward he is humble and a comedian,” he said. 

Many time NMSA Coach of the Year, Hall of Fame inductee, and national tennis coach Jeff Race said many don’t know but he actually was teammates with Yamada in a basketball team in the early ’90s. 

“Poland and I met over 30 years ago. We played on the same team in a basketball league way back then. He even briefly worked at my wife’s business. But Poland loved sports and he loved his family. He also loved his home island of Kayangel,” he said.

Race added he got to know Yamada more personally with his dealings with him as a longtime NMSA board member.

“Poland was a master woodcarver and for most of the last 20 years Poland supported the sports community by making trophies in the form of storyboards for inductees into the NMI Sports Hall of Fame. That always gave me a good reason to head over to Poland’s house a couple of times a year to work with him on getting the trophies made. It wasn’t really a business relationship, although he could do a little of that. But usually we spent a long while just hanging out catching up on each other’s lives, families, and just telling a few stories or reminiscing. He followed local baseball, basketball, and would even follow the exploits of our local kids in tennis. I had a great affection for Poland and he for me. It is with great sadness that I mourn the passing of my long time friend, Poland,” he said.

Former Division of Sports and Recreation director NMSA president, Saipan Swim Club co-founder, and NMSA Hall of Famer Bill Sakovich said Yamada’s passing is a great loss for the CNMI’s sports community. 

“Poland was a great athlete, helping the many teams he participated on and was willing to help me as necessary.  On my side he was a true athlete and great guy. For awhile he was making the beautiful storyboard trophies for NMASA and other activities and for me personally as gifts,” he said.

In retirement, Yamada continued to keep abreast with local sports happening, according to his daughter Rose.

“When he retired from IT&E he did carvings as a hobby. But mostly he enjoyed having a cold beer watching softball games or the company of his grandchildren.”

Despite all his athletic accomplishments, Rose said she always admired him most for his love and devotion to his family.

“Just being the best dad a girl could ask for. Teaching me the easy ways of life and witnessing the love he had for his kids and how they know grandpa will always be there for us,” she said.

She then thanked everyone for the outpouring of support her family received following her dad’s passing last week.

“The love and prayers my family have received these past days is incredible. My father was a very wise, humble, and simple kind of guy that anyone can get along with. So we greatly appreciate everyone reaching out,” she said.